BS 

m4- 

.ri^ From the Jordan to 
the Throne of Saul 



I 





Charles S. Medbury 




(^ TRAINING FqR SERVICE SERIES J 

No. 4 

THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE ADVANCED TRAmFNGCOUR»C 



^lafi 




. Gass BS 11^4 ' 
Book^ M 35 



From tne Jordan 

to the 1 Krone 

or Saul 



By 

CHAS. S. MEDBURY 

Author or *^ From Eden to Jordan 

For ADVANCED TEACHER - 

TRAINING CLASSES. 

ADULT BIBLE 

CLASSES, 

ETC. 



ADDRESS ALL ORDERS TO 

THE STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Cincinnati, OKio 
COPYRIGHTED I^IO BY THE STANDARD PUBLISIJINQ CO, 

\^ \ D 






NOTE BOOK WORK 

In connection with the study of this hook some 
genuine note book work should be done. To make 
it possible for this work to be conducted system- 
atically we prepared a 

NOTE BOOK 

which is especially suited for the note book work 

assigned at the end of each lesson. These note 

books are 15 cents per copy, post paid. Lots of 

a dozen or more 10 cents each not post paid. 

Address the 

STANDARD PUBLISHING CO., 

CINCINNATI, OHIO. 



©CI.A259867 



<K 



■vo 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



L' Charting the Course. 

J VvII. Israel's New Leader. 

HI. Into the Land of Promise. 

IV. First Days in Canaan. 

V. Completing the Conquest. 

VL Division of the Land. 

VII. Last Days and Last Words of Joshua. 

VIII. Israel's Apostasy. 

IX. The First of the Judges. 

X. Review. 

XL Heroic Days of Gideon. 

XIL The Last of the Judges. 

XIII. Local History. 

XIV. An Ancestress of Josus. 
XV. In the Fields of Boaz. 

XVI. A Mother's Gift to Jehovah. 

XVII. The First of the Prophets. 

XVIII. The Ministry of Samuel. ' 

XIX. The Throne of Saul. 

XX. Review. 
Maps. 

Drill Questions. 
Answers to Drill Questions. 



INTRODUCTORY WORD, 

TBie little volume *'From Eden to the Jordan" car- 
ried pupils in an outline course through the Pentateuch. 
The present book, "From the Jordan to the Throne of 
Saul," covers a second stage in the sacred journey we 
have undertaken from Eden to Bethlehem. 

The thought of these lessons is to thread our way 
through the entire Old Testament narrative in a way 
that will make clearer to many the ongoings of our 
God. There is no pretense to anything but A. B. C. 
outline work, which, however, has its vital place. Indeed, 
without it there is no understanaing of the Scriptures. 

We want to stop at real places where men and 
women used of God, stopped, and at these real places 
take our reckoning. We want to meet real people and 
study their experiences. We want to note with pro- 
foundest reverence God's revelation to man, however 
given, and see Him, as face to face, as He prepares for 
the better day and better ministry. We want to come 
to Bethlehem by divinely ordered pathways blazed by 
prophets of the Most High! We want to meet the 
Christ of the Scriptures by and by and believe we shall 
know Him when we do! We are heeding the "tutor" 
whose guidance is unerring! (Gal. 3: 23-29.) 

The first lesson of the present book is quite largely 
a review, with just enough forecasting of the work 
ahead to quicken interest. It seemed necessary to chart 
the course from tha beginning that all might start to- 
gether in the study of th« advance lessons. 



rrom the Jordan to the 
1 hrone of Saul. 

LESSON I. 
Charting the Course 

I. OUTLINE OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

1. First Period. 

( 1 ) Name. The first period of Old Testament 
history is termed the period of Probation. 

(2) Extent. The first period extends from the 
Creation to the Deluge. 

(3) Scripture. The Scripture of the first period is 
Gen. 1:1-8: 14. 

2. Second Period. 

(1) Name. The second period of Old Testament 
history is termed the period of Preparation. 

(2) Extent. The secorid period extends from the 
Deluge to the Exodus. 

(3) Scripture. The Scripture of the second period 
is Gen. 8: 15-Ex. 14: 31. 

3. Tliird Period. 



6 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

( 1 ) Name. The third period of Old Testament 
history is termed the period ol Conquest. 

(2) Extent. The third period extends from the 
Kxodus to the Coronation of Saul. 

(3) Scripture, The Scripture of the third period 
is Exodus 15-40, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 
Joshua, Judges, Kuth and the first ten chapters of 1 
Samuel. 

II. BOOKS OF THE THREE PERIODS. 

Time and space do not permit us to study in detail 
the books from which our lessons are taken, but it is 
important that each book should have its own distinct 
identity in the pupil's mind. 

Reviewing in part and then glancing forward, let the 
following be noted: 

1. Genesis. The book of beginnings. 

2. Exodus. The book descriptive of Israel's going 
forth from the land of bondage. 

3. Leviticus. The spiritual statute-book of Israel. 

4. Numbers. The book of Israel's census. 

5. Deuteronomy. The book which restates the law 
with emphasis upon its spiritual application. 

6. Joshua. The record of Israel's conquests in 
Canaan. 

7. Judges. The book discriptive of "The Dark Ages 
of Jewish History." 

8. Ruth. A story of faith in setting of faithlessness, 

9. 1 Samuel. Life and labors of the last of the 
Judges and first of the Prophets, introducing the King- 
dom of Israel. 



/ 



CHARTING THE COURSE. 7 

KEYWOEDS FOR THE BOOKS. 

Genesis Beginnings. 

Exodus Wilderness Life. 

Leviticus Priesthood. 

Numbers Census. 

Deuteronomy Law's Restatement. 

Joshua Conquest. 

Judges Dark Ages. 

Ruth Faithfulness. 

1 Samuel The Rise of the Kingdom. 

III. STOPPING-PLACES EN ROUTE. 

We can but note, largely in review, some mountain 
peaks of human experience. 

1. Ede7i — Garden of delights — the first home of the 
race. 

2. Ararat — Resting-place of the ark. 

3. Ur — Home of Terah and Abram. 

4. Haran — First stop of Abram on the way to 
Palestine. 

5. Shechem — First stop of Abram within the bor- 
ders of Palestine. 

6. Bethel and Hebron — Homes of Abram within the 
promised land. 

7. Egypt — Scene of striking experiences in lives of 
Joseph and Moses. 

8. Wilderness — The land of Israel's teaching and 
discipline. 

9. And Canaan on before! 



8 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

IV. ACQUAINTANCES BY THE WAY. 

1. In our wondrous journey frotn Eden to Bethle- 
hem, we are meeting great souls used of God. 

( 1 ) Adam. The first man. 

(2) Noah. Preacher of righteousness. 

(3) Abraham. Father of the faithful. 

(4) Joseph. Victor in prison and upon the throne 

(5) Moses. Israel's great lawgiver. 

2. And waiting to greet us: — 

(6) Joshua. The hero of the' period of Conquest, 

(7) Gideon. Intrepid leader of the three hundred 

(8) Samuel. Last of the judges — first of the 
prophets. 

3. And associated unth these and emphasizing good 
or evil in the narraiive: — 

(1) Eve, Cain, Abel and Seth, of the first home. 

(2) Shem, Ham and Japheth, sons of Noah. 

(3) Sarah, Lot, Isaac and Jacob, recalling incidents 
both glad and sad in relation to Abram. 

(4) The brothers of Joseph and the Pharaoh of 
Egypt. 

(5) Jethro, Aaron, Naddh, of Moses' day. 

(6) And on or before us noble Caleb; Achan, man 
of sin; Samso7i, man of might: Ruth, gentle ancestress 
of Jesus; Hannah, the devoted mother of Samuel; Eli, 
whose worthy intent pleads against his weakness; and 
many others whom to know makes our journey mean- 
ingTul. 



OEARTi:sa TEE COURSE. 9 

V. FOREGLEAMS. 

As travelers on long journeys are cheered by word 
of those returning, telling of beauties on before, so we 
in journeying toward Bethlehem have been stirred to 
the depths by tidings from prophets ivho have seen 
before the glories that await usl 

1. Gen. 3: 15. The seed of the woman shall 
bruise the serpent's head. 

2. Gen. 4: 4. The lamb in altar sacrifice fore- 
tells the Lamb of God. 

3. Gen. 12: 1-3. One is coming of Abram's seed 
in whom **all families of the earth" are to be blessed. 

4. Gen, 49:10, From tribe of Judah, Shiloh is 
to come. 

5. Deut. 18: 15-19. We are to find a prophet "like 
unto Moses." 

The way is brightening all the time. He whom we 
seek will be in a ptcular sense "born of woman" and of 
Abram's line and tribe of Judah, and He will be like 
unto Moses and His life shall be crowned v,ith His 
sacrificial death — both life and death telling for boons 
to all mankind. What further word of promise is ni 
store ? 

TOPICS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION. 

1. The journey we are undertaking — from Eden in 
Bethlehem. 

2. Name three ways in which Old Testament study 
is important. 

3. W^hy should one who regards the New Testa- 



10 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

ment as authoritative spend time trying to master the 
Old Testament? 

4. What was Jesus' attitude toward the Old Tes- 
tament ? 

5. Places we have stopped and people we have met 
thus far on our journey. 

LESSON NUGGET. 

Comradeship with the nohle makes life's journey 
great. 

NOTE-BOOK AVORK. 

On page 2 of your Note-Book make a chart of the 
keywords of the books from Genesis to 1 Samuel, in- 
clusive. Also, on page 3, reproduce the chart on page 

11 of this book. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





Period. 


Bxtent. 


Scripture. 


I. 


Probation. 


Creation to 
Delug-e. • 


Gen. 1: 1-8: 14. 


11. 


Preparation. 


Deluge t o 


Gen. 8: 15— Ex. 






Exodus. 


14: 31. 


III. 


Conquest. 


Exodus to 


Ex. 15-40, Lev., 






Corona- 


Num., D e u t., 






tion o f 


Josh., Judges, 






Saul. 


Ruth, 1 Sam., 
1-10. 



Note. — "From Eden to the Jordan'' carried us 
through the Pentateuch. The present book covers the 
remainder of the Scriptures of the third period, taking 
us to the close of the era of Conquest and introducing us 
to Israel's first king. 



CHARTING THE COURSE. 11 



I. OUTLINE OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

1. Fi. Per. (1) N. (2) Ex. (3) Scrip. 

2. Sec. Per, (1) N. (2) Ex. (3) Scrip 

3. Thi. Per. (1) N. (2) Ex. (3) Scrip. 

II. BOOKS OF THE THREE PERIODS. 

1. Genesis — Beginnings. 

2. Exodus — Wilderness Life. 

3. Leviticus — Priesthood. 

4. Numbers — Census. 

5. Deuteronomv — Law's Restatement. 
G. Josliua — Conquest. 

7. Judges — Dark Ages. 

S. Ruth — Faithfulness. 

9. Samuel — The Rise of the Kingdom. 

III. STOPPING-PLACES EN ROUTE. 
1. Eden — Garden of Delight. 

2. Ararat — Resting-place of Ark. 

3. Ur — Home of Terah and Abram. 

4. Haran — First Stop of Abram on way to Palestine. 

5. Shechem — First Stop of Abram Within Borders of Palestine. 

6. Bethel and Hebron — Homes of Abram Within the Promised 

Land. 

7. Egypt — Scene of Striking Experiences in Lives of Joseph 

and Moses. 

8. Wilderness — The Land of Israel's Teaching and Discipline. 

9. Canaan on Before. 

IV. ACQUAINTANCES BY THE WAY. 

1. Meeting. 

(1) Ad. (2) No. (3) Abr. (4) Jos. (5) Mos. 

2. Greeting. 

(6) Josh. (7) Gid. (8) Sam. 

3. Associates. 

(1) Eve, Ca., Ab., Se. 

(2) Sh., Ha., Jap,, 

(3) Sar., Lo., Is., Jac. 

(4) Bro. of Jo. and Phar. of Egy. 

(5) Jet., Aar., Nad. 

(6) CaL. Ach., Sam., Eli. 

V. FOREGLEAMS. 

1. Seed of Woman (Gen. 3: 15). 

2. Lamb in Altar Sacrifice (Gen. 4:4). 

3. One is Coming of Abram's Seed (Gen. 12: 1-3), 

4. From Tribe of Judah (Gen. 49: 10). 

5. A Prophet "Like unto Moses" (Deut. 18 18: 15-19). 



12 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL, 

LESSON IL 

Israel's New Leader 

(Josh. 1: 1-9.) 

1. INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA. 

1. Descendant of Joseph. — Joshua's life line 
leads back directly to the household of Joseph. (1 
Chron. 7: 20-27). 

2. Worldly Connections Disregarded. — Having 
in mind Joseph's wife, Joshua might have boasted of 
connections with the great of earth. (Genesis 41:4.) 
But nothing is said of this. "The glory of high con- 
nections with the heathen counted for nothing; it was 
eclipsed by the glory of the chosen seed. To be born 
of the household of God was higher than to be born 
of kings." 

3. In Charge of Remains of Joseph. — Before 
his death Joseph took an oath of the people that they 
would carry his bones out of Egypt. (Gen. 50: 22- 
20.) In the discharge of this sacred trust it is thought 
likely that Elishama, Joshua's grandfather, who was 
head of the tribe of Ephraim (Num. 2: 18), would 
have the remains of Joseph in his care. If so, the young 
man Joshua would have constant reminder of the great 
life and work of his ancestor, and, as one has suggested, 
the coffin of Joseph must have seemed ever to preach this 
serlnon — "God will surely visit you." 

4. Early Choice of Moses. — Joshua's standing in 
the. camp of Israel is indicated by the fact that Moses 



ISRAEL'S NEW LEADER. 13 

chose him to lead forces against Amalek. (Ex. 17: 
8-16.) 

5. Companion of Moses at Sinai. — That 
Joshua's open life of loyalty to Israel and to Israel's 
God bound him to the heart of Moses is amply evident. 
When the great hour of the lawgiver's life came and he 
was summoned to meet Jehovah upon the mountain, it 
was Joshua who went farthest with him into the high- 
lands and Joshua who first greeted him when he re- 
turned at the end of forty days from "the midst of the 
cloud" of glory. (Ex. 24: 12-18; 32: 15-20.) 

6. One of the T-welve Spies. — When a deputation 
is sent into Canaan to "spy out the land" it is Joshua, 
the son of Nun, who represents Ephraim. (Num. 
13:8). 

7. A Proved Man. — What has been noted above 
explains the call of Joshua to IsraePs leadership. 





1. 


Joined to Joseph. 




2. 


Dangerous connections disregarded. 




3. 


Reminder through Joseph's remains. 


JoshuaF-i , 


4. 


Brave in battle. 




5. 


Comrade for communion. 




6. 


Choice in counsel. 




7. 


Tested and trusted. 



II. A LEADER CALLED OF GOD. 

1. Moses' Successor. — Realizing that the end of 
his own work was near at hand, Moses petitioned God 
to "appoint a man over the congregation" that the peo- 
ple "be not as sheep which have no shepherd." In re- 



14 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

sponse to this prayer of Moses' heart Joshua is indicated 
as the choice of God! (Num. 27: 15-23.) 

2. The Direct Charge. — Summoned to the tent 
of meeting, Moses and Joshua present themselves before 
God. A deeply significant hour! Reviewing, briefly, 
the past, Jehovah foretells the evil conduct of Israel, 
but fortifies the new leader by the charge, "Be strong 
and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children 
of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: 
and I will be with thee." (Deut. 31: 14-23.) 

3. Distinct Step Forward. — The life and work of 
Moses now close. His task is done — well done — and re- 
sponsibility passes to another. With the entrance of 
Joshua upon the scene, we who are journeying toward 
Bethlehem take a distinct step forward in the unfolding 
of the Bible narrative. 

III. THE NEW BOOK OF RECORD. 

1. Conquest Book. — From the Pentateuch we now 
turn to the sixth book of the Old Testament, which bears 
the name of the hero of the period of Conquest — Joshua. 

2. Book Outline. — A simple outline of the book 
of Joshua follows: 

Part 1. Conquest of Western Palestine. Chapters 
1-12. 

Part II. Division of the land among the tribes. 
Chapters 13-21. 

Part III. Settlements east of the Jordan. Chapter 
22> 

Part IV. Last days and words of Joshua. Chapters 
23, 24. 



ISRAEL'S XEW LEADER. 15 

TV. UNDER DIVINE COMMISSION. 
(Josh. 1: 1-9.) 

1. Renenral of the Covenant. — The thoughtful 
must be impressed as we journey on that there is marked 
unity in the narrative before us. Again and again, to 
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and now to 
Joshua, Israel's covenant God reveals His holy purposes. 
As guide-posts on the highway direct the traveler, sd 
the repeated promise of Jehovah has blazed the way foi- 
us from far-away Chaldea till now we stand on the 

borders of Canaan! And here, again, that we may be 
sure we are right, God speaks and bids Israel "'go over 
this Jordan . . . unto the land which I do give 
them." 

2. Assurance of Victory. — Israel was not or- 
ganized as a nation of warriors. They were not as an 
invading host. Women and children were with them 
and social and religious rites marked their daily life. 
The new leader was a man of martial spirit, but Moses 
had been a man of peace. Beyona Jordan, liowever, the 
nations they faced, had been reported as "giants" in 
whose sight men of Israel were as "grasshoppers.^' 
There was need, therefore, for the heartening word 
''There shall not any man be able to stand before thee." 
The people, more than Joshua himself, would need this 
positive assurance. It would be exceedingly precious, 
however, for the new leader to hear God say, "^As I was 
with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee 
nor forsake thee." 

3. Conditions of Blessing. — God was not going 
to do it all. Joshua must be ''strong and of good 



16 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

courage." He had his vital part. He must plan well 
and execute fearlessly. He must not only be brave in the 
field of battle, but "very courageous" in enforcing obedi- 
ence to "all the law" handed down by Moses! Israel's 
dependence even in martial era was to be more in God 
than in armed men. "Good success" was to crown them 
if they turned not from the law of God "to the right 
hand or to the left." 

4. The Place of "the Book of the Law." — Verse 
8 is in most striking emphasis of what has gone 
before. It sounds the depths of the neiv leader's life! 

The word of God is not tq depart out of his mouth. 
He is to meditate upon it — day and night. He is to do 
this that he may be able to "observe to do" what God 
has said. "Then," and only then, is his way to be 
"prosperous" and "good success" to attend him! Hear 
ye — rulers of to-day — hear ye! 

5. The Final Word. — What more can the God 
of all the earth say to strengthen His chosen mes- 
senger? "Have not I commanded thee?" If so, what 
else is there? The resources of the Infinite are pledged! 
"Be strong," Joshua, "and of good courage; be not 
affrighted, neither be thou dismayed; for Jehovah thy 
God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 

The way opens — the new leader is here and under 
commission — a new stage in the wondrous journey 
beckons our eager thought! 

1. All the land promised the fathers. 

2. No man able to stand before Israel. 
The constant presence and blessing 

of God. 



THREE 
PROMISES. 



l^- 



ISRAEU8 NEW LEADER. 



17 



THREE 
CONDI- 
TIONS 



THREE 
AIMS OF 
GOD. 



1. Courage in battle. 

2. Loyalty in peace. 

3. The insistent obs.ervance of "all 

the law.'* 

1. 



To manife?^ His own faithfulness 
and teach men their real de- 
pendence. 
^ 2. To win victories on character levels. 
3. To preserve Israel a righteous na- 
tion maintaining the divine law 
for the good of all men. 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. Is there greater title than that given Moses — 
"my servant"? 

2. When God wants great leaders where does He 
find them? 

3. How shall a man get ready to do "big things"? 

4. How is a man called of God? 

5. Should a lawyer or physician be as much called 
of God for their work as a minister for his? 

6. Can a man be saved unless he is willing to save 
others? Why or why not? 

7. Outline the Book of Joshua. 

8. Give and explain three promises of the lesson. 
0. Give and explain three conditions in this lesson. 

10. Give and explain three aims of God as men- 
tioned in this lesson. 

11. Are all God's promises conditional, and, if so, 
why? 

12. Is there any reason to waive verse 8 as we 



18 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

commission men to do mighty things for God and man 
now? 

13. What would be some results of our reply "med- 
itating" upon the word of God "day and night"? 

14. Are you w^illing to accept God's gracious prom 
ises upon his own wise conditions now? 

15. What is courage? 

16. Are you to be a Joshua to any Moses? 

LESSON NUGGET. 
The riches of heaven are subject to the sight draft 
of faith. 

NOTE-BOOK AVORK. 
On page 4 of your Note-Book make an outline of 
Joshua's life, using these three headings: I. His Home 
Influence: II. His Education: III. His Active Ministry. 

BLACKBOARD TV ORK. 



1. INTRO. TO JOSH 


IV. UND. DIV. COM. 


1. Des. of Jos. 


1. Ren. of Cov. 


2. Wor. Con. Disre. 


2. Assur. of Vic. 


3. In Ch. of Rem. of Jos. 


3. Cond. of Bless. 


4. Ear. Clio, of Mos. 


4. PI. of Bo. of La. 


5. Comp. of Mos. at Sin. 


5. Fin. Wo. 


6. One of Twe. Spi. 




7. A Prov. Man. 


THRE. PROM. 




1. AI. La. Prom. FatLi. 




2. No. Ma. Sta. Bef. Is. 


11. A LEAD. CAL. OF GOD. 


3. Con. Pres. and Bles. of 


1. Mos. Sue. 


God. 


2. The Dir. Cha. 


THRE. COND. 


3. DIst. Ste. For. 


I. Cour. in Bat. 




2. Loy. in Pea. 


III. THE NE. BO. OF RFC. 


3. Ins. Obs. of AU the La. 


1. Conq. Bo. 


THRE. AI. OF GOD. 


2. Bo. Out. 


1. Man. Fait, and Te. Real 




Dep. 




2. Win. Vic. on Char. Lev. 




3. Pres. Isr. a Right. Nat. 



I^^TO TEE LAND OF PROMISE, 19 



LESSON III. 
Into the Land of Promise 

(JosIl. 1:10-4:24.) 

I. PREPARATION FOR THE FORWARD 
MOVEMENT. 
(1:10-2:24.) 

1. Prompt Action. — The word "then" with which 
verse 10 opens, is the life link between the command 
of God and the obedience of Joshua! The new leader 
moves immediately to carry out his commission. 

2. Prudence as fo Man's Part. — Because the re- 
sources of heaven were .pledged to him, Joshua did not 
forget the part that was his to provide. Hence the peo- 
ple were told to lay by in store three days' provisions. 
The obligations of God did not fall due till their own 
were discharged! What they themselves could do, they 
must do! 

3. Faith as to God's Part. — There is the ring of 
absolute confidence in Joshua's word, "For within three 
days ye are to pass over this Jordan." How — he is not 
asking! That is the Lord's part! The land has been 
given. It is theirs to move forward to possess it. 
There is nothing in the way of first steps. The path- 
way of next steps will open when reached. 

4. The Rallying of All Forces. — By arrange- 
ment with Moses, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half 



20 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL. 

the tribe of Manasseh were assigned lands east of tli« 
Jordan. At the present juncture, however, Joshua re- 
minds them that a part of the agreement was to thd 
effect that the armed men of these tribes should assist 
those who were to locate west of the Jordan until the 
latter's possessions were secure. To this word of the 
leader the men of Reuben^ Gad and Manasseh at once 
assent, saying, *'A11 that thou hast commanded us we 
will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go." 
There was no disposition to shirk responsibility or to 
take advantage. "They kept their word at no small 
cost of toil and danger" and in splendid unity the en- 
tire twelve tribes are committed to the tasks before 
them. Joshua now has his forces well in hand. He is 
proving himself a general indeed — the man the hour 
demands. 

5. Within the Enemy's Lines. — The next move 
of Josliua is strictly in harmony with lines of military 
procedure. With forces well provisioned and unity in 
the ranks, a commander is ready for advance movements, 
but information as to the enemy is well-nigh a necessity. 
What of their location, streng't and spirit? Moving in 
this way, Israel's leader sends spies to ''view the land 
and Jericho." 

6. In Rahab's House. — There is no reason to 
suppose that the spies from Israel's ranks went to 

Rahab's house for purposes of sin. Rather may we think 
of them as "in too serious peril, in too devout a mood, 
and in too high strung a state of nerve to be at the 
mercy of any Delilah that might wish to lure them to 
careless pleasure." Indeed, everything indicates that 



IH^TO THE LAND OF PROMISE. 21 

Rahab herself was facing God in these fateful hours and 
in no humor for evil. Then, too, we are to remember 
that in the degraded condition of life in Canaan, Rahab's 
house would not stand out marked as a resort of the 
base, as in our day. There need be no surprise that 
information was sought in this household. Who knows 
indeed but that the men were guided there where Grod's 
truth had air - dy found acceptance, to so large a degree, 
in a struggling woman's life? 

7. The Open Door of Canaan. — Rahab gives the 
spies information of the greatest value. The fear of 
the Lord is upon Canaan. Already her people are dis- 
armed. They know that the Lord has given Israel the 
land. Terror possesses them. They have in mind how 
the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before his 
people and led them to repeated victories. Their hearts 
have melted and there remains no spirit in any man. 
What tidings for Joshua! God has prepared the w^ay. 
"Giants" and "walled cities" have already fallen. The 
spies are right as they report, "Truly the Lord hath 
delivered into our hands all the land." 

II. CROSSING THE JORDAN. 
(3: 1-17.) 

I. Sanctifying tlie People. — The day has dawned 
when promise yields to its fulfillment. The land which 
was in the mind of God when Abram was called from 
Ur of the Chaldees is just beyond Jordan. 

"Early in the morning" of the appointed day Israel 
breaks camp and moves to the banks 'of the river. Direo- 



22 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF HAUL. 

tions are given as to the following of the priests who 
tear the ark, and then the people are told to "sanctify 
themselves" in preparation for the wondrous events of 
the morrow. '^'They were to 'wash themselves and their 
garments, and abstain from everything that might in- 
dispose their minds from a profitable attention to the 
miracle about to be wrought in their behalf.'^ What a 
night in the camp of Israel! 

2. Word from on High.— The Lord God is at 
hand! Heaven is moved as His will is done in earth! 
To Josliua comes the wondrous word, "This day will 1 
begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that 
they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be 
with thee." Beyond this there is the command of Heaven 
that when the priests come to "the brink of the w^aters," 
they shall stand still in Jordan! Faith must carry 
Israel to the very lirnit of what men can do, and then — 
Gpd will open the way! 

3. Tlie Pathway of God. — With priests bearing 
the ark standing in the very waters of the Jordan — 
two thousand cubits from the people that all might see 
clearly — Israel stands for a moment awed by an ex- 
perience hardly equaled in the annals of men. Every 
preparation for crossing to Canaan — calm confidence in 
every life — and yet the flood of waters rolls between! 
Is the nation mad or are they only — trusting God? 

Joshua speaks of coming conquests, provides men to 
obtain memorial stones from the deep bed of the Jordan, 
and the movement forward is begun. And "the waters 
which came down from above stood, and rose up in one 
heap, a great way off . . . and those that went 



I^^TO THE LAND OF PROMISE. 25 

down toward the sea . . . were wholly cut off, and 
the people passed over right against Jericho." 

The promises of God stand fast! "Those historians 
who bring it (the Book of Joshua) down to the level of 
a mere record of an invasion, and who leave out of 
account its bearing on Divine transactions so far back as 
the days of Abraham, spoil it of its chief glory and value 
for the church in every age. There is nothing of more 
importance than ... a firm conviction, such as the 
"P ok of Joshua emphatically supplies, that long delays 
on God's part involve no forgetfulness of His promises, 
but that whenever the destined moment comes 'no good 
thing will fail of all that He hath spoken.' " 

III. MEMORIAL STONES. 
(4: 1-24.) 

1, Deliberate Movements. — While Joshua rose 
"early in the morning" to begin his work for God, and 
the people "hastened and passed over" Jordan, it is 
interesting and significant to note that on the Lord's 
part there was that deliberate order in all His move- 
ments that speaks of the abundant margin of His power. 
It was no't until the nation wp '. "clean passed over" 
that directions were given as to the memorial stones. 
There was time, too, for Joshua, in the spirit of the 
Lord's command, to mark the very place where the 
priests stood by a second memorial pile. Nor did the 
priests move from their position until ordered to do so. 
In the very midst of Jordan they were fearless as the 
hand of Jehovah held the waters. And when they did 



24 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

leave the river bed it was not until their feet were 
upon the dry ground of the river's bank that the Jordan 
returned to its course! It is rest for the soul of the 
tried to note the quiet and limitless power of God! 

2. Faith's Fortifications. — Heaven stoops L . to 
help. Our God is g^ad to give us the ''reason" we may 
voice for the faith we cherish. In the study before us 
He not only keeps covenant with the Israel crossing the 
Jordan, but has thought for nations yet unborn. Twelve 
nitones on Jordan's bank will provoke questions and the 
answer will speak of divine power. His works declare 
His glory. And these memorial piles are everywhere! 
What mean ye by inscriptions upon monuments and 
tombs of kings? What mean ye by ruins of cities now 
coming to Mght whose doom was spoken by prophets? 
What mean ye by the church itself, its ordinances and 
emblems? There is no answer save in this, that God 
has passed this way! 

THE TRIBUTE OF THE PSALMIST. 
(Ps. 114.) 

When Israel went forth out of Eg\^pt, 

The house of Jacob from a people of strange lan- 
guage: 

Judah becarne his sanctuary, 

Israel his dominion. 

The sea saw it, and fled; 
^ The Jordan was driven back. 

The mountains skipped like rams, 

The little hills like lambs. 



IVTO TEE LAND OF PROMISE. 26 

What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? 

Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back? 

Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; 

Ye little hills, like lambs? 

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, 

Jt the presence of the God of Jacob, 

Who turned the rock into a pool of vater, 

The flint into a fountain of waters. 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

I. Contrasts between Moses and Joshua. 
2f When did Moses show greatest faith? 

3. To what extent are we to '*take thought for 
to-morrow" ? 

4. How does Joshua show himself to be a hero? 

5. Tell why it is well that we can not see too 
far ahead. 

6. What must man do to obtain promised blessings? 

7. What do you understana by the phrase, "Man's 
extremity is God's opportunity* 

8. Name three advantages of responsibility. 

9. Are we to send spies to "view the enemies' coun- 
try" to-day? 

10. Will the truth of God reach the Rahabs of 
our day? 

II. Is there any demand for us to "sanctify" our- 
selves to-day? Why? When? How? 

12. How do the people show great faith? 

13. When may we expect to find a pathway through 
our Jordans? 



26 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

14. Can we rear any memorial piles to-day? 

15. What is the best kind of a memorial to leave? 

DEBATE, 

Resolved, That Moses was a man of greater faith 
than Joshua. 

HAND-WORK. 

Draw a map of the Holy Land locating the tribes 
of Reuben, Gad and the eastern half -tribe of Manasseh. 

LESSON NUGGET. 

A man alone, sees barriers; with God there are 
none. 

NOTE-BOOK VTORK. 

On page 5 of your Note-Book make an outline of the 
book of Joshua. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 



I. PREP. FOR FOR. MOV. 


II. CROS. THE JORD. 


1. Prompt Action. 


1. Sane. Peop. 


2. Pru. as to Man's Pa. 


2. Wo. Fro. on Hi. 


3. Fa. as to God's Pa. 


3. Path, of God. 


4. Ral. of Al. Fore. 




5. Wit. the Ene. Lin. 


III. MEM. STON. 


6. In Rah. Ho. 


1. Del. Move. 


7. The Op. Do. of Can. 


2. Fai. Fort. 




3. Trib. of the Psalmist. 



FIRST DAYS IN CANAAN, 27 



LESSON IV. 
First Days in Cannan 

(5: 1-6:27.) 

I. IN CAMP AT GILGAL. 
(5:1-6:5.) 

1. Spirit of the Ganaanites. — Tidings of Israel's 
miraculous passage of the Jordan spread dismay in 
Canaan. If Rahab had spoken truly at an earlier day. 
the truth now found emphasis that the heart of the 
people melted at thought of Israel and there was no 
spirit in them any more. 

2. Circnmcision. — For different reasons (see com- 
mentaries) the rite of circumcision had not been ob- 
served, at least for many years, during the wilderness 
life. Its suspension, on whatever grounds, subjected 
Israel to reproach. Xow, in the new life of the promised 
land this token of the covenant relations between God 
and His people is again given place. The restoring of 
the ite gives name to the first camp of Israel. 

3. At Gilgal. — This first camp of Israel in Canaan 
must be fixed iit memory. It has importance in the 
record. Joshua used it as sort of base of supplies, re- 
turning to it again and again after different expeditions. 
Perhaps the women and children tarried here all during 
the wars of conquest. In later history we will meet 
Saul, Israel's first king, here. The camp at Gilgal 
marks the end of the giving of manna to Israel. 



28 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL. 

4. Tlie Captain of the Lord's Host. — Few have 
ever entered, with appreciation, into the life of Joshua 
at the present point in the narrative. He has had 
glorious days, but what is on before ? Honor is his, 
but, with it, crushing responsibility. With such a force 
as his, how shall he take the walled cities that confront 
him? Perhaps alone, he walks by proud Jericho! Its 
strength mocks him save as he rests in God. But how 
would God have him proceed? It is an hour of ex- 
tremity — the hour in which heaven never fails. ( 1 
'Cor. 10: 13.) 

An armed soldier, with sword drawn, confronts him. 
With the instinct of a soldier — as a picket on guard 
cries, "Halt! who goes there?" — Joshua challenges the 
one before him — "Art thou for us or for our adversaries ?" 
The answers brings him to the ground. It is a mes- 
senger from the Great Commander! Eagerly the loyal 
subordinate seeks directions and when sandals are re- 
moved, as becometh holy ground, the plan of campaign 
is revealed. 

5. The Movement Against Jericho. — How 
strange the plan announced of heaven! What a chal- 
lenge to faith! Not a blow is to be struck and yet the 
city is to fall! Once each day for six days the walls of 
Jericho are to be compassed by Israel's men of war. 
Seven priests shall bear trumpets of rams' horns before 
the ark. The people shall march in silence. The seventh 
day the city shall be compassed seven times and the 

priests shall blow with the trumpets, and at the last 
there shall be a long blast of the ram's horn and all the 
people shall shout with a great shout. At this "the 



FIRST DAYS IN CANAAN. 29 

wall of the city shall fall down flat." Such is th-e an- 
nouncement of the Captain of the Lord's host. 

II. THE CAPTURE OF JERICHO. 
<6:6-20.) 

1. The City. — Everything indicates Jericho's 
wealth. "No such rich record of spoil" is found in con- 
nection with other campaigns of Israel. Its wealth in- 
dicates its importance in the ey^s of the people of the 
day. It was a walled city and at the time we are 
studying it *'straitly shut up because of the children 
of Israel." 

2. Joshua's Characteristic Proxnptiies s, — 
Israel's leader no sooner receives instructions from on 
high than he moves to execute them. At once calling the 
priests, their instructions are given them. The people 
also are directed and the plan of heaven is under way. 
We are not told that Joshua gave the people word of his 
vision and its accompanying promise. The intimation 
is that he did not. They are to do as he says, be silent 
till ordered and then, when directed, to shout. There 
is faith in the new leader and faith in God in the camp 
of Israel! 

3. The March Ab'out the Walls to Victory. — 
Seeing Israel approach, Jericho doubtless prepared for 
attack. Imagine the city's surprise when the only dem- 
onstration was a movement about the city and a return 
to encampment. The trifling would shake off the ner- 
vousness of earlier days and ridicule the whole thing. 
As days passed and nothing more was done, perhaps the 



30 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

company of such would increase, and, doubtless, jeering 
greeted Israel. But many others would note the ark, 
strangely related in all reports that had reached them, 
to the mighty works of Israel's God. The silence of the 
people would come to be ominous rather than other- 
wise and the revelation of the purpose of it all would be 
awaited with increasing aAve and fear. The pressure — 
the suspense — would be terrible to bear. 

Finally, when the seventh day revealed a change, i. 
brought relief both to Jericho and Israel. And yet, the 
men within the doomed city could but ask in undefined 
dread, the meaning of it all. Once about the walls, but 
no return to camp. Twice about the walls and then 
again and still again. Jericho's heart indeed is melted 
now and her rnrit is dead within her. Some awful fate 
is about to be meted out, but what is it, how and when 
will it come? But Israel makes no answer. The tramp 
of her armed men continues, the blast of the trumpets 
seems -endless, and people can but look to unyielding 
walls in wonderment and question while Joshua waits 
the moment of destiny. Five times about the city and 
there i- no change within or without. Six times about 
the city and everything is as in "early morning" when 
the march began. The seventh circuit begins. Think of 
Joshua in such an hour! He watches as one stationed 
of the Infinite! Xow the round is complete, conditions 
have been met and the leader cries in tense voice one 
can almost hear, "Shout, for the Lord hath given you 
^the city!" "So the people shouted, and the priests blew 
with the trumpets : and it came to pass when the people 
heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted 



FlRm' DAYS IN CANAAN. 31 

with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that 
the people went up into the city, every man straight 
before him; and they took the city." Israel's God had 
kept faith with His people! 

III. THE PROBLEMS OF CONQUEST. 
(6:21-27.) 

1. The Record of Destruction. — When Israel 
entered Jericho we are told that they "utterly destroyed 
all that was in the city, both man and woman, both 
young and old, and ox and sheep and ass." To this the 
only exceptions were Rahab and her people, to whom 
the spies had given pledge of safety, which Joshua 
honored. Beyond this the city itself was completely 
destroyed and a curse pronounced upon him who should 
attempt to rebuild it. And in 1 Kings 16: 34 is the 
sad record of the fulfillment of this curse. It was 
surely the mind of heaven that Jericho should be blotted 
out and the miserable village that marks its site to- 
day but emphasizes the woeful unfolding of prophecy 
agi^lnst it. Truly the word of our God is yea and 
amen I 

2. The Blight of Sin. — Those who shudder most 
at thought of God wiping out a great city, often shudder 
least at thought of sin. Canaan, before the conquest, 
was sinful in a way well-nigh beyond our grasp. It 
could be said of her people as of those at the first, 
that the imaginations of their hearts were only evil and 
that continually. She was a tutor of death to other 
nations, who, learning of her, died. But God bore len- 



32 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

iently with Canaan, waiting long. He stayed the hand 
of recompense of sin because the "iniquity of the Amo- 
rites was not yet full." He did nothing till the fruit 
of life was rotten to the core and then made effort to 
remove the corrupting mass lest it imperil all. As God's 
people move against Canaan don't forget heaven's view 
of sin! Even we cut off the diseased member of the 
body and banish from our midst the leper — whose awful 
state but typifies sin. 

3. Saving God's People and His La-w. — The 
paragraph above looks at one side of the problem be- 
fore us. There is another, only hinted at, above. The 
blotting out of an evil race was not in bitterness toward 
any, but in love toward all. It was no mercy to con- 
tinue the days of the utterly defiled. It was mercy to 
others to remove them. Had heaven not insisted upon 
the clearing of the promised land, of evil, the people of 
God, and His law itself, would have been lost to the 
world. The truth of this is seen in the fact that 
Israel did obey God only in part, sparing many Canaan- 
ites and intermarrying with them, with the result that 
the dark period of the Judges follows the era of Con- 
quest, hazarding the light from the throne! The record 
before us therefore does not reveal God as vindictive, 
unfeeling, cruel. The blows of divine justice fell 
heavily upon those who utterly scorned his law, but it 
was an act of mercy to plan to lift the contaminating 
blight of Canaan's life from millions yet unborn. The 
little stretch of country we are studying was the nar- 
~"row theater of the greatest struggle known in earth. 
The issue was the life or the death of God's law among 



FIRST DAYS IN CANAAN. 33 

men! This viewpoint may help solve some of the prob- 
lems of the Conquest. 

TABLE OF EVENTS IN CANAAN— 1. 

1. Three days' provision. 

2. Rallying of forces. 

3. Spies in Rahab's house. 

4. Report of broken spirit of Canaanites. 

5. Sanctifying the people. 

6. Word of cheer from on high. 

7. Crossing the Jordan. 

8. Memorial stones. 

9. In camp at Gilgal. 

10. Restoring rite of circumcision. 

11. Captain of the Lord's hosts. 

12. The capture of Jericho. 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. What help will God give in emergencies now? 

2. Why is Gilgal of importance? 

3. Name three characteristics of Joshua as a 
soldier. 

4. What was the object in going about Jericho so 
many times? 

5. What plan was revealed to Joshua for conquer- 
ing Jericho? 

6. Xame some walls that will fall before obedient 
faith to-day. 

7. Name some problems that follow victory. 

8. Was God cruel in the destruction of Jericho? 



34 FROM JORDAX TO THRO^'E OF 8AUL. 



U. Give ill a fpw words a truth taught in Josh. 
5: 1-6: 27. 

10. Give an illustration based on some verse in 
Josh, o: 1-6: 27. 

11. Tests of faith in obedience to (rod ? 

LESSON NUGGET 
''Xot by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith 
the Lord of hosts." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 6 of your Note-Book answer Numbers S, 4, 
6 and 9 in the ''Topics for Discussion'* abovr. 
BLACKBOARD WORK. 



1. IN CAM. AT GILG. 

1. Spir. of Can. 

2. Circumr, 

3. At Gilg. 

4. Capt. of the Lord's 

Hos. 

.".. Mot. Ag. Jer. 



TL CAPT. OF JER. 

1. Ci. 

2. Josh. Char. Promp. 

0. 5iar, Ab, Wal. to Vic. 

III. PROB. OF CONQ. 

1. Rec. of Des. 

2. Bli. of Sin. 

"5. Sar. Gocr.«? Peo. and HI. 
La. 



LESSON V. 
Completing the Conquest 

(7: 1-12:24.) 
I. DEFEAT AT AI. 
(7 s 1-26.) 
1. Sin in the Camp. — By the express command of 
Joshua the wealth of Jericho was "devoted" to the 
service of God. (6: 17-19.) In the face of the com- 
mand, however, and in spite of the warning that per- 



COMPLETING THE CONQUEST. 35 

sonal dishonor would "trouble" all Israel, Achan appro- 
priated to himself certain treasure that came to his 
hand. 

2. Plans Against Ai. — In ignorance of Achan's 
sin and the consequent disfavor of God resting upon 
Israel, Joshua plans to follow up the success at Jericho 
by further aggressive campaigning. Spies are sent to 
Ai who report that not more than two or thre^ thousand 
men will be needed for this attack, for they (of Ai) 
"are but few." A first suggestion of dependence upon 
their own valor instead of the arm of God! 

3. Attack and Defeat. — The movement against Ai 
is an utter failure. Israel's forces are not only unable 
to take the place, but the men of little Ai, not content 
with defensive tactics, actually chase Israel from before 
the gate, smiting them as they retreat. No wonder "the 
hearts of the people melted, and became as water." 
Jericho, with God, is one thing! Ai, without Him, quite 
another ! 

4. Joslina's Burden. — ^Israel's leader is borne to 
the earth! With rent garments and upon his face be- 
fore the ark, he spends hours in prayer to God. 
Strangely enough, he almost censures Him whose hand 
has led Israel to Canaan. His wail of distress is an 
echo of the old cry for the fleshpots of Egypt. But we 
must be charitable. Upon Joshua rested the respon- 
sibility for a great people in a stranr ^ land. Enemies 
were all about. And now every tribe will be emboldened. 
If "the few" of little Ai can defeat Israel, none need 
fear! So the leader of the hosts of God argued, trying, 
the while, to make himself believe that his anxiety 



,16 FROM JORDAN TO THROVE OF SAUL. 

was for \hp "great name" of Jehovah I But it never 
occurred to him that defeat was to be charged to 
Israel and not to God! 

5. Reason for Defeat.— God speaks and His first 
word calls Joshua to his feet. It is not the hour to have 
the face to the earth. In just a word — a burning word — 
heaven makes known the trouble at A'l. I^rnrl hath 
.sin.}ir(/ .' Sin cancels promises of favor. God can not be 
bound to bless whore His law is disregarded. Israel's 
foretold prosperity in the eia of conquest all hinged 
upon their loyalty to Him who led them forth. Rightly, 
the boons of Cioc\ ;\yv conditional. It was so of old. It 
is so now. 

6. Locating Guilt. — There is something dreadful 
about the unerring steps taken in placing responsibility 
for Israel's defeat and sorrow. As the lines narrow 
about him one almost wonders that Achan did not 
]ush into the midst of the people, declaring his guilt, 
long before he wa?i personally singled out. What a 
nisht he must have sp?nt! And then *'early in the 
morning" the definite inquiry began. First the tribe 
was taken, by method unknown to us, but probably by 
lot. then the family, and then the individual! Step by 
step, approach was made to Achan until guilt was 
fastened upon him. By the very relentlessness of truth 
the guilty \\a> made known to man. GorJ Jiad knoirn 
him ail the time! *'Thou God seest me." 

7. A Pitiful Memorial.- — Joshua is kind in word 
to the miserable man before him. ''My son" is his ten 
der greeting, "give, I pra> thee, glory to the Lord, the 
God of Israel; and make confession unto Him; and tell 



COMPLETING THE CONQUEST. 37 

me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me." 
And immediately Achan confesses his guilt. Th^e price 
of his sorrow and shamie — the price of the monument of 
dishonor that was to cover his bones, was a pretty 
Babylonish mantle, a bit of silver and a wedge of gold! 
They seemed so much when seen in Jericho! In the 
midst of saddened Israel they seem so little! How sin 
blinds us to values — utterly perverting judgment. 

II. VICTORY AT AI. 
(8: 1-29.) 

1. Cheer for Joshua. — Now that Israel has 
cleansed itself of d-efilement, the Lord bids Joshua not 
to fear or be dismayed, but to proceed against Ai. 

2. The Plan. — (1) All the force of Israel's armed 
men is to be taken. (2) Part of the force was to lie 
in ambush around the city. (3) Others were to ap- 
proach, make the attack and then flee as before. (4) 
Men of Ai would thus be drawn out of the city in pur- 
suit. (5) Those in ambush would enter Ai and set 
it on fire. (6) The troops, apparently in flight, would 
face about and ( 7 ) men of Ai be involved with forces 
of Israel in both front and rear. 

3. Success of the Plan. — The issue of the second 
movement against Ai was complete success. The pres- 
tige of Israel was restored in the land, and nothing now 
stood in the way of their possessing Canaan. 

m. READING THE T.A'W. 
(8:30-35.) 
1. Setting of the Incident. — The striking inci- 
dent here recorded has its setting in the provision 



;38 FRO 31 JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

Moses made for it. (Deut. 27.) It is most deeply in- 
teresting to feel as we enter the beautiful valley of 
Shechem — returning where Abram led u^ long ago — that 
under Joshua we are keeping faith with Israel's great 
lawgivpr. who ^'lieing dead, vet speaketh." 

2. Blessings and Curses. — ^Bhssings of God have 
jittended Israpl. It is right that a great service of 
thanksgiving should be held. The people therefore 
gather and take stations upon Ebal and Gerizim — six 
tribes upon each mountain, just as Moses directed. An 
.'iltar is reared and Israel praises God. Then Joshua 
\\rites the law. or presciibes portions of it. upon un- 
known stones. Later, the priests, stationed in the val- 
ley between the mountains, read the blessings and 
curses. As blessings are read the people upon Gerizim 
respond with a solemn amen, and those upon Ebal set 
like seal upon the curses proclaimed. By the hallowed 
>ervice> of the wondrous day the holy covenant between 
Israel Hnd Jehovah is renew^ed and this in the very 
place where Abram first, in Palestine, ''built an altar 
unto the Lord." 

IV. YEARS OF TRIUMPH. 
(9: 1-12:23.) 
1. Cambination Against Israel. — The narrative 

moves rapidly now. to the close of the conquest, though 
several years are involved in the record. First is noted 
a 43ombination oi the stronger peopks. 'It was a com- 
bination, too, of considerable strength. Israel's one de- 
feat at Ai was Canaan's one ground of hope for the 
future. And they cherished it. 



COMPLETING THE CONQUEST. 39 

2. Strategy of Gibeonites. — Awed by Israel's rec- 
ord of conquests, the city of Gibeon withheld itself from 
alliance with others, and with motives of self-preserva- 
tion moved on a line of its own. Steps in the story are 
as follows : ( 1 ) With worn clothes, old sacks and 
mouldy provision they present themselves before Joshua. 
(2) They represent themselves as from a "very far 
country." (3) They desire a covenant of peace with 
Israel. (4) When questioned they maintain themselves 
successfully, contending that the fame of the name of 
Jehovah has led them forth. (5) Joshua made peace 
with them. (G) The deception detected, Israel keeps 
its word of peace and spares the city, but made tne peo- 
ple slaves. (7) The pitiful people, thankful for life, 

' bondag without compla^'-^ ! 

3. Attack upon Gibeon. — Outraged by Gibeon's 
alliance with Israel, kings of the section make an attack 
upon the city. Xot so much, perhaps, in defense of 
Gibeon, but to shatter hopes of Canaan's peoples in the 
strength of their combinations, Joshua at once heeds the 
appeal of help sent to him, marching all night from 
Gilgal. The quick movement, the tremendous pressure 
of the attack, the overwhelming victory and particularly 
the signs of divine co-operation with Joshua, must have 
dismayed the heathen peoples utterly and hastened the 
end. 

4. Jebovab Figbting for Israel. — Note verse 
8, with its definite promise. Note verse 11, where 
a great hail storm is sent of God to add terrors to the 
retreat of the attacking force. And then note — verses 
12-14 — the marked interposition of the Ruler of the 



40 FROM JORDAX TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

universe in behalf of His people. Xot entering into 
controversy as to this battleground passage of Scrip- 
ture, let William Garden Blaikie, of New College, Edin- 
burgh, be heard. Quoting onl,y in part. Dr. Blaikie 
says: "We can understand the objection that God, hav- 
ing adjusted all the forces of nature, leaves them to 
operate by themselves in a uniform way without dis- 
turbance or interference; but we can hardly compre 
liend the reasonableness of the position that if it is His 
pleasure miraculously to modify one arrangement, He 
is unable to adjust all lelative arrangements, and make 
all conspire harmoniously to the end desired." Still 
further this same scholar affirms: ''Whatever allowance 
we may make for poetical license of speech, it :s hardly 
possible not to perceive that the words as they stand 
imply a miracle of extraordinary sublimity; nor do we 
see any sufficient ground for resisting the common be- 
lief that in whatsoever way it was effected, there was a 
supernatural extension of the period of light, to allow 
Joshua to finish his work.'' And why not, if God i$f 

5. Final Vietories.^ — (1) The fivp kings are put 
to death at the cave of Makkedah. (2) ^lakkedah falls 
before Joshua. (3) And Libnah. (4) And Lachish. 
(5) And Horam. king of Gezer. (6) And Eglon. (7) 
Hebron. (8) And Debir. (0) "All the land, the hill 
eountry, and the South and the lowland and the slopes 
and all their kings" are vanquished. (10) And then 
the scene of Avarfare shifts to the North, where a con- 
federacy has made a stand at the waters of Merom. (11) 
Encouraged of God, Israers triumphs are continued and 
extended until the north region also is made conquest. 



COMFLETme THE CONQUEST. 41 

(12) "And the land had rest from war." (13) Chapter 
12 is but a recapitulation of Israel's victories, and 
needs no comment here. 

THE BATTLE RECORD. 

1 . Jericho. 

•2. Ai. 

'3. Gibeon. 

4. Makkedah. 

5. Libnah. 

6. Lachish. 

7. King of Gezer. 

8. Eglon. 
!•>. HebroD, 

10. Debir. 

11. All the land of the South. 

12. Merom — to Sidon and Valley of Mizpeh. 

13. Hazor. 

14. All the hill country of the North. 

15. East of Jordan lands were made conquest by 



Moses. 



CHRISTWARD. 



While there are no definite words of prophecy as to 
our Christ in this portion of Scripture, the whole his- 
tory speaks of Him. Two comments follow. 

'^According to the apostle Paul (Heb. 4: 8). Joshua 
himself was a type of Christ: the promised land, of the 
kingdom of heaven; the victories which he gained, of 
the victory and triumph of Christ; and the rest he 
procured for Israel, of the state of blessedness at th^ 
right hand of Grod** [Clarke). 



42 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 



"We are weary of the din of arms and come at last 
to the refreshing statement: 'And the land rested from 
war.' The annals of peace are always more brief than 
the annals of war; and when we reach this short but 
welcome clause we might wish that it were so expanded 
as to fill our eyes and our hearts with the blessings 
which peace scatters with her kindly hand. For that 
impression we need only to turn to another page of our 
Bible, and read of the campaigns of another Joshua. 
'And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their 
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, 
and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of 
disease among all the people.' The contrast is very 
glorious. In His Galilean journeys Jesus traversed the 
very region where Joshua had drawn his sword against 
confederate kings. Joshua pursued them as far as Sidon, 
leaving marks of bloodshed along the whole way; Jesus, 
when He departed to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, went 
to reward faith, to dispossess devils and to kindle in a 
desolate heart thanksgiving and joy" {Blaikie), 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. Does sin betray men and nations now? 

2. Tell of the defeat at Ai. 

3. What effect did the defeat at Ai have upon 
Joshua ? 

4. What is the significance of Israel's defeat at Ai 
immediately after the victory at Jericho ? 

5. Can a man cover up his guilt? 



COMFLETIMJ^ TEE CONQUEST. 43 

6. Which would you rather have know your siu — 
(>od or man? 

7. Can a man ever get something for nothing? 

8. Tell of the successful plan of taking Ju. 

9. Tell of Gibeon's strategy. 

10. What about Joshua making the suu to stand 
still ? 

11. What verse do you like best in Josh. 7: 1-1-2: 
24? 

12. Give concisely a truth based on some verse or 
verses in Josh. 7: 1-12: 24. 

13. Give an illustration based upon some verse or 
verses in Josh. 7: 1-12: 24. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

Draw a map locating Jericho. Put in all places 
under "The Battle Record.*' I'se page 7 of your Xote- 
Book. 

LESSON NUGGET. 

Sin cancels promises of favor. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. DEF. AT Al. 


III. READ THE LA. 


1. 


Sin in Ca. 


1, 


Set. of Inc. 


2. 


Pla. Ah. Ai. 


u. 


Bles. and Cur. 


l\ 


Att. and Dei- 






4. 


Josh's Bur. 




IV. YEA. OF TRI. 


5. 


Rea. for Del". 


1. 


Com. Ag, Is. 


6. 


Lock Gul. 


2. 


Strat. of Gib. 


1. 


Pit. Mem. 


3. 


Att. Up. Gib. 






4, 


Jeh. Fi. for Is 




II. VIC. at AI. 


5. 


Fin. Vic. 


]. 


Che. for Josh. 






2. 


Pla. 






3. 


Succ. oi Pla. 







44 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 



LESSON VI. 
Division of the Land 

(13:1-21:44.) 

I. UNCONQUERED TERRITORY. 
(13:1-7.) 

1, The Word to Joshua. — The word spoken to 
Joshua at his time has more of tenderness in it than 
yet to be done for which the aged leader was unfitted. 
While there was warrant for speaking of Israel's con- 
quests in "all the land/' there yet remained important 
sections unsubdued. It was not for Joshua to carry the 
war farther. God wished him to partition the land 
among the tribes, and this work would crown his life. 

2. Sections Unpossessed. — Minute description is 
here given. Let maps and commentaries be studied. The 
compass of our work does not permit treating such mat- 
ters in detail. The most notable foe of Israel named in 
'this list is perhaps the Philistines. We shall have 
much to do with this people later. 

II. ASSIGNMENTS EAST OF THE JORDAN. 

(13:8-33.) 

1. By Arrangement "witli Moses. — The tribes lo- 
cating east of Jordan did so by reason of a long-standing 
agreement with Moses, which Joshua ratified. (Num. 
32: 1-32.) 

2. Tribes of the East. — Those located "beyond 



TEE DlVISIOy OF THE LAMJ. 4r, 

Jordan,'^ as those west of the river would speak it, were 
Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Alanasseh. 

III. ASSIGNMENTS WEST OF THE JORDAN. 
(14:1-19:51.) 

1. Number of Tribes. — The tribes were divided b> 
the river, two and one-half to the east and nine and 
one-half to the west, Levi having no inheritance except 
cities, and two assignments being made the descendants 
of Joseph. « 

2. Assignments by Loit.— Many conflicting inter- 
ests would enter into such a settlement of boundary 
lines as now occupies Joshua. There was room for the 
play of great selfiahness. There seems to have been 
marked absence of contention, however. The lot was 
taken as final. 

3. Appeal of Caleb. — An exception tu the plan uf 
distribution by lot was mad«e in the case of Caleb — lep- 
resenting the tribe of Judah. This venerable and val- 
iant soul, quoting a promise" of Moses ( Xum. 14:24: 
Deut. 1:36) lays claim to the southland, with all its 
hazards of occupancy, and there are none to dispute his 
right. He desierved what he asked, for "he wholly fol- 
lowed Jehovah, the God of Israel," 

4. Tbe Children of Joseph. — In the assigning of 
land Joseph counts two, and this, seemingly, without the 
question of others. It was doubtless in deference to the 
blessing of the patriarch Jacob ( Gen. 48 : 8-22 ) , in which 
he gave special recognition to Ephraim, though Manas- 
seh was the firstborn, and in which he also said plainly 
to Joseph. "Moreover, I have given thee one portion 



46 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

above thy brethren." So do different portions of the 
Scripture bear upon one another! So is the unity of 
all clearly seen! 

5. Signs of "Weakness. — A significant item is 
noted in relation to the tribe of Manasseh (17: 12, 13). 
At first they could not, as they thought, drive out the 
Canaanites. Later they would not. They liked the idea 
of having slaves to do their work. Later still inter- 
marriages are noted between Israel and the people of 
Canaan. God knew best how to preserve His people! 

6. A Note of Discord. — The children of Joseph are 
the ones to raise the question as to their territory. The 
very ones who should not. They claimed to be "a great 
people" needing more than the' lot gave them. Joshua, 
taking them at their word, told them that, being a great 
people, they should provide for themselves out of unap- 
propriated woodland and by driving the Canaanite 
wholly from their midst. 

7. In Camp at Shiloh.. — All through the seven 
year period of conquest the center of Israel's life has 
been Gilgal. There the ark has rested. Now there is 
an important change (18: 1) and Shiloh, some twenty 
miles north of Jerusalem, comes to be the sacred gath- 
ering-place of Israel. The tent of meeting is set up 
and the ark of God within the Most Holy Place. "A 
touch of heaven is imparted to the rude and primitive 
settlement." In our journeying we will return to 
Shiloh again and again, noting vital days and happen- 
ings in the unfolding life of the people of God. 

8. Completing tlie Task. — Impatient at delay, 
Joshua now urges the seven remaining tribes to take 



THE DlVlHlOy OF THE LAND. 47 

prompt action in locating and in possessing their sec- 
tions of the land. Three men from each tribe are 
taken, a survey of the land is made, and lots are then 
cast. By this means all the tribes are located and "they 
made an end of dividing the land." 

IV. CITIES OF REFUGE. 
(20: 1-9.) 

1. A Provision of the Law. — The command to 
establish cities of refuge recalls definite teaching of 
earlier days. (Ex. 21: 12.) It is of ^Yonderful in- 
terest to read (Xum. 35:9).. "When ye pass over the 
Jordan into the land of Canaan, then ye shall appoint 
cities of refuge for you.'' In our journey we have gone 
that far! We have now passed over Jordan! And we 
now note the setting apart of tlie prescribed cities of 
refuge! How the journey is charied of God! Surely 
we are walking in His pathways! 

2. Operation of the Law — (See Num. 35: 9- 
34. ) ( 1 ) The patriarchal law gave to the nearest 
of kin the right to avenge tJie Hood of one killed. (2) 
But justice demanded a way of escajje for the one who 
killed another imintentionally. Hence the cities of ref- 
uge. (3) "They were not designed to screen criminals, 
but only to afford the liomicide protection" until the 
case could be passed upon. (4) Fleeing to a city of 
refuge and gaining its gates, the one pursued was secure 
in all his rights of trial. (5) If adjudged guilty, he 
was surrendered to the hand and power of the avenger 
¥t blood. (6) If innocent, he was protected in his life, 



48 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

but must remain within the walls of the city of refuge 
until the death of the high priest. (7) In it all there 
was a wholesome teaching as to the sanctity of human 
life in a day that sadly needed such lessons. 

3. The Cities Chosen. — Mercy dictated the loca- 
ting of cities of refuge in territory within reach of all. 
And the dictates of mercy were heeded. West of Jordan 
KadesJi is in the north, Eehron in the south and Shechem 
central. East of Jordan the same thing is seen in the 
location of Bezer in the north, Golan in the south and 
Ramoth in central section. 

V. THE INHERITANCE OF THE LEVITES. 
(21:1-45.) 

1. Their Marked Distinction. — The Levites were 
chosen for spiritual ministry. They were not on a foot- 
ing with other tribes as to possession of lands. In a 
peculiar sense the Lord God Himself was their inherit- 
ance. (13: 33.) 

2. Families of the Tribe. — A threefold family 
division, corresponding to the sons of Levi, Kohath, Ger- 
shon and Merari^ marked the tribe which was chosen 
for sacred service. 

3. Duties of Families. — The Kohathites not only 
furnished the priests — the household of Aaron — but to 
others of this family specially sacred tasks were assigned. 
When Israel moved from place to place the Kohathites 

-had the care of the ark, with other sacred furniture of 
the tabernacle. (Num. 4: 1-20.) The G^rshonites 
bore the tent of meeting itsielf, curtains and coverings. 



TEE DIVISION OF THE LAND. 



49 



(Num. 4: 21-28.) The Merarites were in charge of the 
boards and bars and pillars. " (Xum. 4: 29-33.) 

4. Temporal Support. — While ministering in sa- 
cred things and thus denied opportunities given to others 
in the way of securing worldly possessions, the Levites 
were not left without support. They were to receive 
tithes from Israel (Xum. 18: 21-24) and cit.es were 
to .be assigned for their residence. (Num. 35: 1-8.) 

5. Honoring- the Claim of Levi. — In the chapter 
before us the Levites ask for the assignment provided 
by the word of the Lord to Moses, and as an expression 
of fraternity among the tribes and of reverence for the 
law of God it is a pleasure to read that "Israel gave 
unto the Levit-es, out of their inheritance, according to 
the commandment of Jehovah." Forty-eight cities — ^in 
many instances our word ^^villages" would better describe 
them — were set apart as their homes. Their occupancy 
of these was not an exclusive occupancy, however, but 
within them they were protected in d-sfined property 
rights. 

THi' TRIBES OF ISRAEL. 



MT. GERIZIM 



9imieon. 

Levi — No possession. 

Judah. 

Issachar. 

Joseph 



In tribal division 
of land represented 
by Ephraim and 

Manasseh. 



Benjamin. 



50 



FROM JOHDAX TO THliONE OF SAUL. 



MT. EBAL 



Reuben 



Gad. 

Asher. 

Zebulon. 

Dan. 

Xaphtali. 



With half tribe of 
Alanasaeh east of 
the Jordan. 



CITIES OF REFUGE. 



WEST OF JORDAN 



EAST OF JORDAN. 



Kadesh. 
Hebron. 
Shecheni. 

Bezer. 
Golan. 
Ramoth. 



1. 
to the 
2. 
:]. 

4. 

5. 

6. 
Why? 

7. 
Why? 

8. 
many? 



TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

How was Israel crippled by failure to obey God 
full in driving out Canaanites? 
Ts compromise with sin ever to be encouraged? 

Beauty of the service to which Levi was called. 

God's thought for order in all His work. 

The better place of refuge. 

What tribes w^ere located east of the Jordan? 

What tribes were located west of the Jordan? 

What are the cities of refuge? Why? How 
V/ihen? 



THE DIVISION OF THE LAND. 51 

9. What kind of courts of justice did they have in 
Joshua's time? 

10. Give illustrations as to how Christianity lays 
value upon human life. 

11. What distinction marked the Levites? 

12. When the tabernacle was moved from place to 
place, what part did the following families have: The 
Kohathites? The Gershonites? The Merarites? 

13. How were the Levites supported? 

LESSON NUGGET. 

Complete conquest, alone warrants "rest from war." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 8 of your Note-Book draw a map of Pales- 
tine, locating the tribes of Israel and the six cities of 
refuge. 





BLACKBOARD 


WORK. 




I. UNO. TER. 


IV. CIT. OF REF. 


1. 


Wo. to Josh. 


1. Ptov. of La. 


2. 


Sec. Unposs. 


2. Op. of La. 

3. Cit. Chos. 


II. 


ASSIGN. EA. OF JOR. 




1. 


By Arr. wi. Mos. 




2. 


Trib. of Ea. 


v. INHER. OF LEV. 


III. 


ASSIGN. WE. OF JOR. 


1. Mar. Dist. 

2. Fam. of Tri. 


1. 


Num. of Trib. 


3. Dut. of Fam. 


2. 


Assign, by Lo. 


4. Temp. Sup. 


3. 


App. of Cal. 


5. Hon. Ola. of Lev. 


4. 


Chil. of Jos. 




5. 


Sig. of Weak. 




6. 


Note of Disc. 




7. 


In Ca. at Shil. 




8. 


Com. Ta. 


- 



52 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

LESSON VII. 
Last Days and Last Words of Joshua 

(22:1-24:33.) 

I. TRIBES OF THE EAST. 
(22: 1-34.) 

1. Tlie Reward of Faithfulness. — The lands of 
the west have been apportioned. United Israel has 
wrought out national problems. Xow Joshua recalls 
the agreement with Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of 
Manasseh. calls them into his presence, commends theii- 
loyalty and dismisses them to tlieir own territory with 
lionor, 

2. Brotherhood in Israel. — Moving to the ea^t 
and actuated only by holiest motives, tlie transjor 
danic tribes build an altar. Israel west of the Jordan 
is dismayed. Are the tribes that have just left them 
deserting Shiloh? They hardly ask the question, but 
wrongly assume that this is true. Their impetuous 
and most unhappy approach is met in splendid spirit 
by the supposed ofTenders. The newly erected altar 
speaks of loyalty, and not rebellion. It is for thf 
safety and instruction of those separated from the 
immediate influences of the sacred tent of meeting. 
The incident, promising most unhappy strife, is turned 

4o good, and the altar comes to new significance as a 
witness between tribes of east and west that "Jehovah 
is God/' ■ 



LAST DAYS AND LAST WORDS OF JOSHUA. 53 

H. SURRENDERING THE COMMISSION. 
<23: 1-16.) 

1. The Dignity and Bean^ty of Age. — ^The leader 
with whom we opened the great era of conquest has 
grown old. Yesterday he was mighty before walled 
cities. To-day he breathes forth a benediction. There 
is the ring of old heroic times, however, in the quiet, 
uncomplaining word, *'I am old and well stricken in 
years." 

2. The Glad Review.^ — The veteran recalls to 
faithful followers victories granted of God. Nations 
have been overthrown and their lands are now the 
possession of Israel. "Not one thing hath failed of all 
the good things which Jehovah your God spake con- 
cerning you." 

3. The Glad Promise. — Conditioned upon their 
loyalty, Jehovah will bless Israel until there are none 
to question their advance. 

4. Passing on the "Word of God. — ^Verse 6 is 
but a repetition of the charge given Joshua himself. 
(1: 1-9.) The great soul has cherished the commission 
all the intervening days, and now lays it upon those 
who are to follow him. And what an appeal in his own 
Rxample ! 

5. "Warnings. — If true to God^ one man of Israel 
shall chase a thousand. But if disloyal, corrupted by 
unholy alliances and thus ensnared, Israel will perish 
"from oif this good land which Jehovah your God hath 
given." No words could be plainer! Boons of the 
past constitute no mortgage upon the land for the 
future ! 



54 FROM JOBDAN TO THRONIiJ OF SAUL. 

in. WORDS OF TAREWT^LL 
(24 s 1-33.) 

1. Again at Sliechem. — Some would weave the 
twenty-third and twent> -fouitli chapters of Joshua into 
one farewell addr-ess. Others think the twenty-third 
chapter m: informal word spoken at Shiloh. while the 
twenty- fourth is the deliberate last word of the great 
leader which he made the occasion of a special assembly 
at Shecliem. 

2. A Review of God*s Leadings.— Speaking for 
Jehovah, Joshua brings to the mind of Israel the won- 
drous days of the past. The record of tlie years is the 
story of the presence of the Lord in their midst. 

3. The Aged Leader's Appeal. — How the heart 
of Joshua reveals itself in the narrative before us! He 
Hves over marvelous history, which is Hifi story, and 
then, with such a basis for apjjeal. cries out, "Now 
therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and 
in truth.'" The word "therefore," linking with Israel's 
past, weighs a ton! Out from such a record, loyalty is 
the only reasonahJe thing to be expected. A nation or 
individual must be mad to turn from such a Leader! 

4. The Necessary Choice. — The matter Joshua 
presses homo upon the people is not one that can be 
evaded. Some stoiid must he taken. Will the people 
serve Jehovah? If not, then let choice be made from 
those gods of other nations who have not been able to 
stand before Jehovah for a day! Oh, the fascination 
-^f sin that could make possible a single moment's hesi- 
tation! 



LAST DAYS AND LAST WORDS OF JOSHUA. 55 

5. Superb Leadership. — Joshua takes a position! 
Would God all leaders might! He never seemed greater 
than now. Hear him as he cries — after having put 
God's promises to a thousand tests — "As for me and my 
house, we will serve Jehovah." 

6. Steadying the People. — Moved deeply by the 
review of the past and by Joshua's tender persona] 
appeal, the people answer feelingly, ''Far be it from 
us that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other 
gods." But Joshua knew the fickle hearts of many 
He knew that the strongest would be sorely tempted 
So he held them aloof — challenging the strength of 
their resolution — by exclaiming, "Ye cannot serve Je- 
hovah." And then he speaks of His holy attributes 
and of what his exalted character demands. Meeting his 
challenge and now moved even more deeply, the people 
commit themselves unreservedly in the cry, "Xay; but 
we will serve Jehovah." "Ye are witnesses against 
yourselves," exclaims Joshua^, and Israel answers, "We 
are witnesses." It is a scene of most dramatic interest 
as the aged man of God, in fear for the future, tries 
to steady his people in exalted purposes. 

7. The Solemn Covenant. — Demanding that they 
put away any foreign gods they may be cherishing, 
Joshua bids Israel "incline" their hearts unto the Lord. 
They pledge him again that they will serve Jehovah 
and hearken to His voice. 

And now we come to the last recorded act of Israel's 
great leader! He is not thinking of himself, but of 
his people. He is faithful to his stewardship to the 
last hour. Making sacred record of the day's covenant, 



56 FJtOM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

he then "took a great stone/' and in harmony with a 
significant Oriental custom that meant much to the 
people, constituted it a witness of their pledge to God. 
He could do no more. In truest sense his work is 
finished. He has been true to the trust reposed in him. 
He has kept the faith. The people are now sent away, 
'"every man to his inlieritance." and the great leader 
turns away, too, to his inheritance — an inneritance in 
the Canaan of our God! 

TABLE OF EVENTS IN CANAAN— IX 

1. Defeat at Ai. 

2. Sanctifying Israr' 

3. Victory at Ai. 

' 4. Reading the Law in Valley of Shechem. 

5. Strategy of Gibeonites. 

0. Victory at Gibeon. 

7. Victories in the South. 

8. Victories in the North. 

9. Rest from War. 

10. The Division of the Land. 

11. In Camp at Shiloh. 

12. Cities of Refuge. 

13. Provision for Levites. 

14. Averted Strife. 

15. Farewell V^ords and Death of Joshua 

FUNDAMENTAL LESSON OF THE BOOK OF 

JOSHUA. 

"It is a noble illustration of the truth that, iii the 
great causes of God upon the earth, the leaders, how- 



LAST DAYS AND LAST WORDS OF JOSHFA. 57 

ever supreme and solitary they seem, are themseh^es 
led. There is a rock higher than they: their shoulders, 
howeA-er broad, have not to bear alonp the burden of 
responsibility." 

TRIBUTE TO JOSHUA THE MAN. 

"Joshua retires only from laboi* when there is no 
more work to be done, and no more clangers to be en- 
countered. He was the first in the field and the last 
out of it; and never attempted to take rest till all the 
tribes of Israel had their possessions and were settled 
in their inheritances. Of him it might be truly said, 
as of Cfesar, "He considered nothing done, while any- 
thing remained undone." 

"Behold this man retiring from office and from life 
without any kind of emolument! The greatest man of 
all the tribes of Israel; the most patriotic and the 
most serviceable; and yet the worst provided for! 
S-tatesmenl iNTaval and military commanders! Look 
Joshua in the face; read his history, and learn from 
it what true patriotism means. That man alone who 
truly fears and loves God, credits his revelation and is 
made a partaker of His Spirit is capable of performing 
disinterested services to his country and to mankind" 
{Joshua as type of Christ). 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. Methods of approach to those we think in error. 

2. How the past tells on the present. 

5. How the present is making the future — the his- 
tory of to-morrow being the life of to-day. 

4. What associations cluster about Shechem? 
chem ? 



58 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

5. The glory of the closing days of a life well lived. 

6. The value of old age to growing youth. 

7. What of the educational value of making choices. 

8. Why is it necessary for every one either to de- 
cide for or against Christ? 

9. What reasons did Joshua give to get his people 
to choose the true God? 

10. What are some of the reasons given to-day for 
choosing to serve Satan? 

11. What are some of the reasons given to-day for 
choosing to serve Christ? 

12. Why can we not serve two masters? 

■ 13. Why should w^e take a firm stand for the right? 
14. What do you like best about Joshua? 

LESSON NUGGET. 

He best leads men who best follows God. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 9 of your Note-Book make an outline of an 
address on "Choices," under these two heads: 
I. Five Excuses for Choosing to Serve Satan 
II. Five Reasons for Serving Christ. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. TRIB. OF EA. 


III. WO. OF FARE. 


1. 


Rew. of Fai. 


1. Ag. at Shech. 


2. 


Bro. in Is. 


2. Rev. of God's Lead. 

3. Ag. Lead's App. 




II. SUR. COM. 


4. Nee. Choi. 


1. 


Dig. and Beau, of Ag. 


5. Sup. Lead. 


2. 


Gla. Rev. 


6. Stead. Peop. 


- 3. 


Gla. Prom. 


7. SoL Gov. 


4. 


Fas8. on Wo. of God. 




5. 


Warn. 





ISRAELI APOSTASY. 59 



LESSON VIII. 
Israel's Apostasy 

(Judg« 1.1-0:6.) 



1. PERIOD OF THE JUDGES. 

1. Character o£ the Period. — From days of light 
'inder the splendid leadership of Joshua we now turn 
to what has been termed, appropriateh', the dark ages of 
Jew^ish history. 

2. Life of the Period — The words of Judg. 17: 
6 are fairly descriptive of the life of the whole period: 
'*In those days there was no king in Israel: every man 
did that which was right in his own eyes." Others have 
spoken of Amos' strong statement (8:11) as appro- 
priately descriptive of this day in Israel's history — 
there was a famine of the Ayords of Jehovah! 

3. Extent of the Period. — The period of the 
Jucfges extends from the death of Joshua (1400 B. C.) 
to the coronation of ^'aul (1095 B. C). 

4. The Literature of the Period. — The record of 
the period is found in the Books of Judges and Ruth and 
the first ten chapters of 1 Samuel. 

5. Outline of the Book of Judges.— A common 
outline of the Book of Judges is as folloAvs: 

Part 1. Introduction — the Apostasy ( 1 : 1-3:6). 
Part 11. Israel under the Judges (3: 7-16: 31). 
Part in. Local History (17-21). 



60 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

U. EARLY CONQUEST. 
1:1-26.) 

1. Seeking a Leader. — ^Not long after the death 
of Joshua, the people raised the question as to their 
leadership in further wars of conquest. By direction of 
Jehovah, Judah was chosen^ and the latter asks and 
obtains the assistance of Simeon. 

2. Victory at Bezek. — The first victory of record 
is over Canaanites and Perizzites at Bezek — a place of 
uncertain location, but within the borders of Judah. 

3. Overthro"w of Adoui-bezek. — The name 
*'Adoni-bezek" means, literally, lord of Bezek, and this 
petty ruler had terrorized the whole surrounding coun- 
try. He ruled over seventy cities or towns whose 
kings he had captured and horribly mutilated. His 
own death must be viewed as a matter of "retributive 
justice." He himself viewed it so and submitted with- 
out complaint. Then, too, so complete a victory over a 
foe so formidable, would enhance Israel's reputation. 
Alien peoples would realize that, while Joshua was dead, 
the God of Israel was still with His people. 

4. Victory at Jerusalem. — From Bezek the forces 
of Judah turned to Jerusalem, where Jebusites dwelt 
in strength. The city proper was taken and burned, 
but later history indicates that the fort or citadel, on 
Mt. Zion, remained in possession of the native peoples. 

5. Victory at Hebron. — Pressing southward, 
Ju^ah's arms are victorious in and around Hebron — the 
hill country of the South. 

6. Victory at Debir. — ^The accx)unt of operations 



ISRAEL'S APOSTASY. 61 

against Debir seems to be a restatement of the record 
gi\^n in Joshua. (15: 13-10.) 

7, Victory at Zephath or Hormah,— After the 

glance of a moment at domestic affairs as related to care 
for the descendants of ISIoses' father-in-law, the con- 
densed martial record is resumed and Zephath is added 
to the roll of Israel's conquests. The name of the place 
was changed to Hormah. 

8. Other Victories. — ^Continuing in warfare, 
Judah wrenched Gaza^ Ashkelon and Ekron from tlie 
hands of Israel's inveterate foes, the Philistines. 

9, Discounts.— The victories, many of them, are 
neither complete nor lasting. The Philistines at an 
early date seem to have regained cities taken from them, 
distrust of God's power made it impossible for Israel 
to drive out inhabitants of the valley who had chariots 
of iron, and Jebusites retained a grip upon Jerusalem. 
The atmosphere is far different than under the leader- 
ship of Joshua ! With pathways through the Red Sea 
and Jordan in mind, iron chariots seem, ridiculous as 
barriers to the progress of the people of God I 

10. Bethel Taken. — Descendants of Joseph from 
east of Jordan cross the river, and by strategy gain 
entrance to Bethel and add it to Israel's conquest 
territory. 

m. EARLY DISOBEDIENCE. 
(1:27-2:5.) 

1. False to Pledges. — While Israel's sacred pledge 
to Joshua is still ringing in our ears, we find ourselves 
but little surprised at the record unfolding before US. 



62 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

We shared Joshua's eager anxiety as he exclaimed, ^'Ye 
cannot serve Jehovah." Now the truth of that state- 
ment appears. Low motives control in the camp of 
many of the tribes of the people of God. 

2. Tlie Roll of the Disloyal. 

( 1 ) "Manasseh did not drive out inhabitants of 
Bethshean." 

(2) ''Ephraim drove not out the Canaanites that 
dwelt in Gezer." 

(3) "Zebulon drove not out the inhabitants of 
Kitron." 

(4) "Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco." 

(5) "Napthali drove not out the inhabitants of 
Beth-Shemesh." 

(6) Dan is forced by Amorites into the hill country. 

(7) Six of Israel's tribes mocking by present life 
the glorious records of the past. 

3. Pitiful Motives. — ( 1 ) Indolence and pride. 
When Israel became strong, their weakness was revealed. 
Instead of driving out Canaanites in harmony with the 
will of God, they retained these alien peoples as their 
slaves. 

(2) Cowardice. The moral hazard of contaminating 
peace was welcomed rather than the physical hazard of 
war. Blind to the one, they were fully awake to the 
other. 

4. Tlie Call of God. — At this point in the narra- 
tive the angel of Jehovah appears remonstrating with 
Israel. Oh^ the sacred watch-care of Heaven! Israel 
weeps, but there is not life transformation. We may 
look forward, therefore, to the nations of Canaan being 
"as thorns" in the sides of the chosen people. 



ISRAEL'S APOSTASY. 01^ 

IV. THE COMPLETE LAPSE OF LOYALTY. 
(2: 11-3:7.) 

1. A Pitiful Record. — Recalling the unnumbered 
blessings of God that havo gladdpn^^d the years, it makes 
the heart sick to read of the chosen people that ''the 
children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight 
of Jehovah, and served thf Balaam: and they forsook 
Jehovah, the God of their fathers, who brought them 
nut of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of 
the gods of the peoples that were round about them. 
and bowed themselves down unto them: and they pro- 
voked Jehovah to anger.'' The scene at Jericho — ^aii 
hour of triumphant faith — is but yesterday. How 
strange the fickleness of human hearts. 

2. The Favor of God Withdrawn. — Instead of 
being all-needed strength to Israel, Jehovah noAv permits 
them to be despoiled by their enemies. It is the just 
recompense of sin. It is the last resort of love I 

3. Yet Leaders Provided. — Marvelous mercy of 
God I Hardly is the record made of Israel being given 
over to their foes until Ave read, "Jehovah raised up 
judges who saved them out of the hand of those that 
despoiled them.'' 

4. Continued "FlSort to Save. — The closing para- 
graph of the- second chapter is a most pathetic repre- 
sentation of the eager yearning of God for the good of 
men. Repeated opportunities were given Israel. Only 
that the people might be brought to themselves, was the 
power of the Infinite withheld and nations of Canaan 
spared to put them to needed tests. 

5. The Proving of Israel. — ''As the divine plan is 



64 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

unfolded, it is seen that not by undivided possession of 
the Promised Land, not by swift and fierce clearing 
away of opponents, was Israel to reach its glory and 
become Jehovah's witness, but in the way of patient 
fidelity amidst temptations, by long struggle and arduous 
discipline." 

6. Israel's Foes in Canaan. — The peoples remain- 
ing in Canaan which were to be used of God in "proving" 
Israel were the Philistines and Sidonians, and the fol- 
lowing included under the general term '^Canaanites" 
— Hivites, Amorites, Perizzites and Jebusites. (See 
Bible dictonaries. ) 

7. Israel's Sin. — Intermarrying with these alien 
people, Israel was led to worship false gods, forgetting — 
this the point of emphasis — the One who had chosen 
them to be His peculiar possession. Apostasy was com- 
plete. 

TABLE OF EARLY CONQUESTS. 

Bezek. 

Jerusalem. 

Hebron. 

Debir. 

Hormah. 

Gaza. 

Ashkelon. 

Ekron. 

Bethel. 

"THORNS IN THE FLESH." 

Philistines — Southwestern seaboard. Gaza, Ashdod, 
Gath. 



ISRAEL'S APOSTASY, 66 

Sidonians — Northwestern seaboard. Phoenicians. 
Hivites — Xorth and northeast. Lebanon. 
Hittites — ^South country. Hebron. 
Amorites — Southwest. Later, east of Jordan. 
Perizzites — Central. About Bethel and Shechem. 
Jebusites — In and about Jerusalem. 

TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. What does the word "apostasy" mean? 

2. Give an outline of the Book of Genesis. 

3. Give an outline of the Book of Exodus. 

4. Give an outline of the Book of Leviticus. 

5. Give an outline of the Book of Numbers. 

6. Give an outline of the Book of Deuteronomy. 

7. Give an outline of the Book of Joshua. 

8. Give an outline of the Book of Judges. 

9. How would we get along to-day if laws of God 
and men were set aside and every man were to do what 
was right in his own eyes? 

10. What is a coward? 

IL What will bring on ''dark ages" for any nation? 

12. The significance of Judah's leadership in rela- 
tion to Messianic promises. 

13. When do "chariots of iron" frighten the people 
of God and what are some of to-day's "chariots"? 

14. The rolls our names are on. 

15'. Israel's life comments upon the passage of 
Scripture — "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take 
heed lest he fall." 



66 



FROM JORDAX TO THRONE OF SAUL. 



16. Give an illustration of the loving mercy of 
God to the fickle and sinful. 

LESSON NUGGET. 

Apostasy from God always leads to "dark agea." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On pages 10 to 15 make outlines of the following 
books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deu- 
teronomy and Judges. In case you cannot outline all 
of them now, put the outline of Judges on page 15 and 
fill in the other pages later. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. PER. OF JUDG. 




III. EAR. DISOB. 


1. 


Char, of Per. 


1. 


Fal. to Pled. 


2. 


Li. of Per. 


2. 


Ro. of Disl. (1) Man. 


3. 


Ex. of Per. 




(2) Eph. (3) Zeb. 


4. 


Lit. of Per. 




(4) Asher (5) Naph. 


5. 


Out. of Bo. of Judg. 




(6) Dan. (7) Six 
Trib. 




II. EAR. CONQ. 


3. 


Pit. Mot. (1) Ind. and 


1. 


Se. Lead. 




Pri. (2) Cow. 


2. 


Vic. at Bez. 


4. 


Call of God. 


3. 
4. 


Ov. of Ad. -bez. 
Vic. at Jer. 


IV 


. COM. LAP. OF LOT. 


5. 


Vic. at Heb. 


1. 


Pit. Rec. 


6. 


Vic. at Deb. 


2. 


Fav. of God. Wi. 


7. 


Vic. at Zep. or Hor. 


3. 


Yet Lead. Prov. 


8. 


0th. Vict. 


4. 


Cont. Ef. to Sav. 


9. 


Disc. 


5. 


Prov. of Is. 


10. 


Beth. Tak. 


6. 


Is.'s Fo. in Can. 






7. 


Is.'s Sin. 



THE FIRST OF THE JUDGES, 67 



LESSON IX. 
The First of the Judges 

(3:7-5:31.) 

I. THE DAYS OF OTHNIEL. 
(3:7-11.) 

1. Israel in Captivity. — As a just recompense of 
sin, we find Israel in bondage to the Mesopotamians. In 
early hi&tory this was a great people, but in the era 
of which we are now studying, Assyria was pressing 
upon their eastern boundaries, and this may account for 
the invasion of Cushan-rishathaim in a land as far to 
the west as Palestine. 

2. Israel's Cry to Jehovali.— *'What the faithful 
servants of God urged in vain, the iron heel of Cush- 
rishathaim made them remember," and Israel cried unto 
Jehovah for a deliverer. 

3. Israel's Deliverer. — True to the spirit of all 
His dealings with His people, of old and of to-day, 
Jehovah heeds the cry of their distress and raises up a 
savior in the person of Othniel, son of Kenaz, Caleb's 
younger brother. The first of the Judges is of good 
stock ! 

4. THe Work of Otliniel. — Scripture tellsi us 
that the Spirit of Jehovah came upon the new leader, 
and that he judged Israel and went to war. "Significant 
is the order of these statements. . , . The people 
had to be- healed before they could fight. Hopeless, 
invariably, have been the efforts of oppressed peoples 



68 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

to deliver themselves unless some trust in a divine- power 
has given them heart for the struggle. . . . Othniel's 
first care Avas to suppress idolatry, to teach Israelites 
anew the forgotten name and law of God and their 
destiny as a nation." Then the armed men moved, and 
under the favor of God Israel found deliverance, and 
for forty years the land had rest fxom war. . 

II. SAD STORY OF THE YEARS. 
(3:12-31.) 

1. The Fickleness of Israel. — Loft without the 
inspiration of a great spiritual leader, Israel again 
faces away from Jehovah. Weakened by sin and without 
the favor of the Lord, they fall an easy prey to sur- 
rounding nations. This time it is Eglon of Moab, with 
allies, Avho reduces the chosen people to bondage. 

2. The Faithfulness of God. — The promises of 
Jehovah stand fast. He foretold deliverance into the 
hands of their enemies as a penalty for sin; and favor 
always links with penitence. So, Avhen, at the death 
of Othniel, we read of Israel doing that which was 
evil, we are not surprised at the record of their over- 
throw. And now, when they cry unto Jehovah, we 
look for a savior^ and Ehud is granted. 

3. Overthro"wr of Moabites. — There is no defense 
for Ehud's line of conduct. But it must not be charged 
to Jehovah. The aseassination of Eglon was his own 
act. God never called a man to perfidy in defense of 
truth. Strategy has its legitimate place and war 
countenances a thousand cruelties, but Ehud's act has 



THE FIRST OF THE JUDGES. 69 

no warrant. He thought he was doing the divine will, 
and in later open warfare he was favored for Israel's 
sake and the hand of the oppressor was lifted. 

4. Ehud's Successor. — ^A single verse tells of the 
service of Shamgar, third of the Judges, whose Samson- 
like deed in struggle with the Philistines is made a 
matter of record. The era is dark indeed. Heroism is 
upon a low plane. But if it requires patience of us to 
study the narrative, what of the patience of God in 
keeping alive the light of His law during such days! 
What of the temptation to turn from the promise of 
old! (Gen. 8:21, 22.) What confidence in man, to 
think still of the better day! (Gen. 12: 3.) 

III. THE DAYS OF DEBORAH. 
(4: 1-5:31.) 

1. The Old Story. — "And the children of Israel 
again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah." 
This is one step. "And Jehovah sold [or delivered] 
them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan" — the sec- 
ond step. "And the children of Israel cried unto Jeho- 
vah" — the third step. "And Jehovah raised them up a 
savior" — the fourth step. Such is the record of the Book 
of Judges, an old commentary upon the "seventy times 
seven" teachings of Jesus! 

2. The "Woman Judge. — One woman's name has 
place in the list of Israel's Judges — Deborah, a prophet- 
ess. It was a day of extreme darkness in Israel. The 
very cities that had yielded to them in earlier days 
were now their oppressors. The "promised land," 
through no fault of Him who promised it, had become 



70 FROM JORDAN TO THROVE OF SAUL. 

a land of servitude. "But there was a way then, as 
there is always a way, for the high-spirited to save life 
from barrenness and desolation; and Deborah found 
her path." 

3. A Leader Called. — ^As though speaking with 
authority none could question, Deborah summons Barak 
to the leadership of the forces of Israel. She promises 
certain victory over the forces of Jabin. 

4. A Condition Made. — Barak, without the faith 
or vision of Deborah, and yet eager to do his duty, 
accepts the leadership with but one condition. Deborah 
is to accompany him. To this she assents, but reminds 
him that in his .request he yields the honors of the 
expedition to a woman. 

5. The Victory. — The overthrow of Sisera, Jabin's 
general, is complete. His nine hundred chariots of 
iron avail nothing. Utterly discomfited, Sisera deserts 
his forces, seeking personal safety. 

6. The Murder of Sisera. — There are ways to 
explain Jael's conduct, but no way to excuse it. She 
stands condemned as Ehud. "That Jael should thus 
have betrayed Sisera, and that Deborah should have 
praised her act, are characteristics of the barbarous 
age in which they lived. An enemy was, in those days, 
no more than the wild beast that wastes a land, and to 
snare him by deceit was thought as little amiss as to 
prepare a pitfall for a wolf, or to spread tempting bait 
to lure it to its death. Christianity was then thirteen 
hundred years in the future." Let all students have in 
mind clearly that the place of such a narrative in the 
Bible by no means suggests divine approval. We have 



TEE FIRST OF THE JUDGES. 71 

here an inspired record, but much of the conduct is of 
the earth, earthy! 

7. The Song of Thanksgiving. — Deborah's song 
is the voice of the day's eager patriotism. She glories 
in Israel's triumphs, and we can understand, at least, 
her unrestrained exultation over Israel's defeated foes, 
who had pressed upon her people untold miseries. Nor 
can we wish change in her last words: 

"So perish all thine enemies, Jehovah! 

But let those that love thee 

Be as the sun going forth in his strength." 
THE OFFICE OF JUDGE. 

"The name 'judge' implies chiefly, but not only, 
judicial activity in the strict sense. Some of them 
{i. e., Samson) were probably not judges at all; but, 
on the other hand, others were {i. e., Deborah, Samuel 
Ccud his sons). Again, the 'judge' was not hereditary 
ruler, not king; but he was divinely appointed ruler, 
and had the piety of the people in charge. But the 
'judge' was always. the savior of his country." {Schaff- 
Eerzog. ) 

CHRONOLOGY. 

"The period extends from the death of Joshua to the 
anointing of Saul as king over Israel. . . . The whole 
period is devoid of certain dates. ... It has always 
appeared probable that some of the Judges were con- 
temporaries, and not sucxjessors or predecessors of the 
rest." {Eastings.) 

FIRST FOUR JUDGES. 



Othniel. 
Ehud. 



Shamgar. 
Deborah. 



72 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 



TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. What bearing did the captivity have upon refor- 
mation ? 

2. What was the. most important work of the 
Judges ? 

3. What is a monarchy? 

4. What is an oligarchy? 

5. What is a republic? 

G. Is there any warrant for treachery? 

7. Characteristics of Deborah. 

8. Value of Deborah's song. 

9. Xame five important women in Old Testament 
hisk)ry previous to Deborah. 

10. Give one great truth taught by the history 
covered in this lesson. 

LESSON NUGGET. 
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as 
som.e count slackness; but is long suffering to you-ward, 
not wishing that any should perish, but that all should 
come to repentance." ' ^ 

NOTE-BOOK 'WORK. 
In your l^ote-Book on page 16 make a list of twenty 
important Old Testament women who lived previous to 
Deborah, and write one fact concerning each. 
BliACKBOARD \\ ORK. 



I. DAYS OF OTHN. 

1 . Is. in Capt. 

2. Is.'s Cry to Jeh. 
••'. Is.'s Del. 

4. W^otk of Othn. 



II. SA. ST. OF YE. 

1. Fick. of Is. 

2. Fai. of God. 

3. Over, of Moab. 

4. Ehud's Sue. 



1. 01. Sto. 

2. Worn. Jiidg. 

3. Locod. Cal. 



III. DA. OF DEB. 

4. Cond. Ma. 

5. Vic. 

6. Mur. of Sis. 
T. So. of Than. 



REVIEW, ' 73 



LESSON X. 
Review 

Use Questions 1 to 252 in back of the book. 



74 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 



LESSON XL 
Heroic Days of Gideon 

(6:1-8:32.) 

I. THE CALL OF GIDEON. 
(6: 1-14.) 

1. Israel Oppressed by Midianites. — Following 
Deborah's rule and 'tlie years of "rest" it granted, the 
familiar record is repeated: ''And the children of Israel 
did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah." For 
their sins they are delivered into the hands of the 
Midianites, nnder whom they suffer seven weary years 
of bondage. 

2. Extent of Israel's Burdens.- — The powerful 
Midi.?.nites brought Isra^el "very low." Dens and caves 
in the mountains were their homes, and the crops of 
their fields and their cattle were destroyed or confiscated. 
As locusts, th'3 Midianites spread themselves over the 
land, leaving "no sustenance" in Israel. 

3. p A Message from God. — From sorrow of heart 
and burden of life^ Israel once more cries unto Jehovah. 
This time, before a savior is raised up for the people, 
the heart of Heaven is revealed in loving protest against 
the people's conduct. They are reminded of the wondrous 
days when they were brought forth out of the house of 
bondage, and the land of promise given them. "But ye 
Eave not hearkened unto my voice." This last word was 
the key to all disasters, the explanation of their miseries. 



HEROIC DAYS OF GIDEON. 75 

4, The "Ne-w Leader Called. — God never loses 
sight of the man fit for His service. "Southwest from 
Shecbem, among the hills of Manasseh, at Ophrah of 
the Abiezrites, lived a family that had suffered keenly 
at the hands of Midian. Some members of the family 
had been slain near Tabor, and the rest had as a cause 
of war not only constant robberies from field and home- 
stead, but also the duty of blood revenge. The deepest 
senile of injury, the keenest resentment, fell to the share 
of one Gideon, son of Joash, a young man of nobler 
temper than most Hebrew^s of his time. . . . Look 
at him, and you are struck with his stalwart propor- 
tions and his bearing: he is like the son of a king! 
Observe more closely, and the fire of a troubled, yet 
resolute, soul is seen in his eye. He represents the best 
Hebrew blood, the finest spirit and intelligence of the 
nation; but as yet he is a strong man bound." To such 
a superb man the angel of Jehovah appeared, saying: 
"Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." It 
is the dawning o{ another splendid day in Israel's 
history ! 

5. Tlie Response to tlie Call. — ^Hardly realizing 
at the first the character of his visitor, or in but half 
consciousness of anything unusual in a salutation so 
perfectly chording with his own reveries, Gideon exclaims 
in very soul cry: "0 my lord, if Jehovah is with us, 
why then is all this befallen us?" Where are His 
great w^orks? Why does Midian prevail? The look 
now turned upon him pierces his very soul as the mes- 
senger from Israel's God answers doubt toith a com- 
mand for service, bidding Gideon go and save Israel 



76 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

from the hand of Midian! "Jehovah's representative 
has done his mediatorial work. Gideon desires a sign; 
but his wish is a note of habitual caution, not of dis- 
belief, and in the sacrifice he finds what he needs!" 



II. A LEADER FORTIFIED. 
(6: 15-40.) 

1. Direct Assurance o£ Favor.: — The Lord is glad 
to equip a man for tlie task to which he calls him. 
Fortification of soul is not denied. Faith is not weak 
that asks to be doiihly sure before embarking upon an 
enterprise for God. In the lesson before us, Gideon first 
shrinks in humility from the duty laid upon him, but 
the direct assurance is given. "Surely I will be with 
thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." 

2. Assurance at Altar of Sacrifice. — Beseeching 
the messenger to tarry until he could make a suitable 
offering, Gideon brings appropriate gifts to the altar. 
The angel then calls forth fire from the rock to consume 
the offering, and by this Gideon is made certain of his 
being face to face with the angel of Jehovah! No peril 
attends this experience, however, but rather peace! 

3. Assurance in Victory over Baal. — The com- 
mand to overthrow the altar of Baal, at which his own 
father worshiped, was not an easy command for Gideon 
to obey. But he "did as Jehovah had spoken unto 
him." To his glad surprise, doubtless, his father comes 
to his defense. The latter deserts a god unable to 
defend himself, and the son must feel that choice favor 
of Jehovah is attending him. 

4. The Assurance of Signs. — In condescension 



HEROIC DAYS OF GIDEON. 77 

to human longings, Heaven stoops low to confirm the 
faith of Gideon. Jehovah knew how exceedingly difficult 
it was for the new leader to realize that the resources 
of the Infinite were actually pledged to him! So when 
Gideon — not really doubting, yet eager to have faith 
confirmed — says, ^'If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, 
as thou hast spoken" — if this indeed be true — "then let 
these signs be granted," Jehovah, without question, yields 
to the request. Firs't, a fleece placed by Gideon upon 
the threshing-floor gathers dew while all about remains 
dry, and then — to make assurance doubly sure — a 
further trial is made^ and the fleece remains dry while 
all the ground is wet with the dew of heaven. Gideon 
is content. There is not another moment of hesitation. 
The man of God is fortified for his task! 

III. MEN FOR GOD'S SERVICE. 
(7:1-8.) 

1. Prompt Movemenit. — Out from counsel with 
God Gideon turns at once to fields of conquest. He and 
all the people "rose up early" and encamped beside the 
spring of Harod — vantage-ground for operations against 
Midian. 

2. A Test of Warriors. — ^Looking to His people 
in camp, Jehovah tells Gideon that there are too many. 
Victory won by such a host would be counted as their 
own and not of God. Directions were given, therefore, 
to all the fearful and trembling to depart, and the signif- 
icance of the name of the camp — Harod, "trebling" — 
is seen when, out of thirty-two thousand men, twenty- 
two thousand face toward the rear. To a less valorous 



78 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

soul than Gideon such a movement would have brought 
dismay, but he whose life we are studying has faith to 
stand a far severer test. 

3. The Severer Test. — What can Jehovah mean? 
Midianites cover the land like locusts, but ten thousand 
men are "too many" to go against them! A stream is 
before them — in their pathway. Nine thousand seven 
hundred lie upon their faces or stoop to drink, delib- 
erately. Three hundred hardly slacken their pace, but 
rush through the waters carrying drink to their lips in 
the hollow of the hand. And "it is no haphazard 
division that is made by the test of the stream." Type 
of life and service is declared! Ninety-seven hundred 
men are ordered to return to their tents! Three hundred 
men face Midian! 

IV. THE DEFEAT OF MIDIAN. 
(7:9-25.) 

1. The Promise o£ Victory. — Directed of God, 
Gideon spies out the camp of Midian. Hearing the 
dream of one in the enemies' camp and the interpretation 
of it, he knows that fear has already disarmed his foes. 

2. The Telling Stratagem. — "Dividing the band 
of heroes into three companies, Gideon gave each man a 
trumpet, an empty earthen pitcher, and a lamp to be 
concealed in the pitcher till the right moment. . . . 
Sending the three companies of a hundred each, by secret 
paths over the hills, out of sight from the plain, he 
directed them to lie hidden till they heard the blast of 
Eis own trumpet. They were then, each, to blow a wild 
blast, to break the pitchers and expose their lights, and 



HEROIC DAYS OF GIDEON, 79 

to rush forward on the enemy thus rudely waked from 
careless sleep, to the cry of 'The sword of Jehovah and 
of Gideon'." 

3. The Rout of Israel's Foes. — Already of fearful 
hearts, as above noted, the Midianites awake in panic. 
The hills seem alive with the forces of that God whose 
name had not ceased to be a terror to the alien races. 
Midian thinks only of safety in flight. Gideon's faith 
has its reward. The promises of Jehovah stand fast. 

V. LAST DAYS OF GIDEON. 

(8: 1-32.) 

1. Difficulties witli Brethren.— ( 1 ) Men of 

Ephraim complain because Gideon had not specially 
called them to engage in battle. Triumph had come. 
They wished to share it. Gideon does not say, in reply, 
many things that might have been « said with seeming 
justice. Rather, he pacifies them by alluding to service 
they had rendered in the capture of princes of Midian 
and by discounting what he himself had accomplished. 
(2) "Faint, yet pursuing" — a glorious tribute — 
Gideon and his men come to Succoth and Penuel, and th? 
valiant man, battling for all Israel, asks bread for his 
heroic followers. Insolent refusals of those who were 
afraid to show him favor for fear of the vengeance of 
Midianites, cut him to the heart. He declares that they 
shall pay heavily for what to him is treason, and the 
later record reveals the truth of his word. 

2. Final Victories over Midian. — Continuing in 
pursuit, Gideon withholds not liis hand until the two 
kings of Midian are taken and the entire host utterly 



80 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

discomfited. Before he puts the kings to death they 
pay him personal tribute and recognize the justice of 
his vengeance. 

3. True to His God. — The people, in admiration 
and gratitude, would place Gideon upon a throne. Turn- 
ing from any such thought, his loyal heart exclaims, 
"Jehovah shall rule over you." 

4. The Close of the Record, — Last days are at 
hand. An innocent request for gifts .of gold to make 
an ephod for legitimate, uses proves to be a mistake. 
It is almost beyond belief that Israel would so soon — 
so pitifully soon — do violence to Jehovah. The fact of 
this disloyalty is sadly out of harmony with the glad 
record of Israiel's complete freedom from Midian and 
the land's long rest from war. Family relationships of 
the dark day also cloud our hero's life as he is judged 
by present standards, but charity bids us forget that 
he was not all we could wish. He was great for his 
timie, and God used him. He merits his place in the 
catalogue of the faithful. (Heb. 11: 32.) 

JUDGES TO LESSON XI. 

Othniel. Shamgar. 

Ehud. Deborah. 

Gideon. 

TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. How do besetting sins often bring us "very low"? 

2. Is the eye of God upon men for special service 
now? 

3. What assurances or fortifications of soul are 
granfted us now? 

4. If Christians were called to life tests now, how 
many would turn back? What would you do? 



HEROIC DAYS OF GIDEON. 



81 



5. What are some of the life- tests God makes to-day? 

6. How can a thing be right in Gideon's time and 
wrong now? 

7. Xame some people to-day who are like Gideon's 
"three hundred." 

8. Name three strong points in Gideon's charaeter. 

9. Tell about the traveling-men's association called 
"The Gideons." 

10. How should Gideon's victory give us hope in 
our fight against the saloon? 

11. Give a great truth taught by the history covered 
in this lesson. 

LESSON NUGGET. 
"One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the 
Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 17 of your Note-hook write a full page on 
either Nos. 5, 6 or 8 in the "Topics for Research and 
Discussion." 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. CA. OF GID. 


III. ME. FO. GOD'S SER. 


1. 


Is. 0pp. by Mid. 


1. Pro. Mov. 


2. 


Ex. of Is.'s Bnr. 


2. Tess. of Warr. 


8. 


Mess. fr. God. 


3. Sev. Te. 


4. 


Ne. Lead. Cal. 




5. 


Res. to Cal. 




1. 
2. 
3. 


II. LEAD. FORT. 
Di. Assur. of Fav. 
Assur. at Al. of Sac. 
Assur. in Vic. ov. Ba. 


IV. DEF. OF MID. 

1. Pro. of Vic. 

2. Tell. Strat. 

3. Ro. of Is.'s Fo. 


4. 


Assur. of Si. 






V. LA. DA. 


OF GID. 


1. 


Dif. wi. Bre. (1) Eph. 


3. Tru. to His God. 




(2) Gid. 


4. Clo. of Rec. 


2. 


Fi. Vic. ov. Mid. 





82 FROM J0RDA:S[ TO THRONE OF SAUL. 



LESSON XII. 
The Last of the Judges 

(8:33-16:31.) 

I. FURTHER APOSTASY. 
(8:33-35.) 

1. Untrue to God. — Heroic days of Gideon yield 
to another period of weakness and sin. Israel turns to 
false gods. 

2. Untrue to Gideon's Memory. — Not only did 
Israel prove false in worship, but the hateful influence of 
their sin led them to despise the memory of the one 
who had just served them with such marked faithfulness. 
Their base conduct has emphasis in Scripture. "Neither 
showed thev kindness to the house of Gideon." 



II. CONSPIRACY OF ABIMELECH. 

(9: 1-21.) 

1. Shrewd Plan. — The record moves forward on a 
low plane. The mere adventurer is at the front. Born 
to Gideon of a woman of Shechem, Abimelech appeals 
to his townsmen's personal interests and obtains their 
backing. Gideon had scorned kingly honors for himself 



TEE LAST OF THE JUDGES. 83 

and family. But Abimelech ascribes ambitions of royalty 
to all Gideon's sons, and Shechem decides for one against 
seventy and that one their own. 

2. Cost of a Throne. — The adventurer shrinks 
from no crime. Abimelech puts .to death all his brothers 
save Jotham, who escapes him. Murder has purchased 
many a crown, but it never gave the w^earer peace or 
power. 

3. Jothain's Parable. — The one son of Gideon 
who escaped the hand of Abimelech cries out to men of 
Shechem a message of reproach. "What was this man 
to whom Shechem had sworn fealty? An olive, a fig 
tree, fruitful, and therefore to be sought after? Was 
he a vine capable of rising on popular support to useful 
and honorable service? Not he. It was the bramble 
they had chosen, the poor, groveling, jagged thornbush, 
that tears the flesh, whose end is to feed the fire of the 
oven. Who ever heard of a good or heroic deed Abim- 
elech had done?" The righteous protest was voiced 
but to little purpose, for Jotham fled in fear. 



III. THE CONSPIRATOR OVERTHROWN. 
(9:22-57.) 

1. Rebellion o£ Sbecbem. — Those who had first 
supported Abimelech now turn against him. "God per- 
mitted disorders to punish the complicated crimes of 
the royal fratricide and idolatrous usurper." 

2. Defeat of Gaal. — Scripture tells us that the 
blood of the brothers of Abimelech was to be upon 



84 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

Abimelech, and "upon the men of Shechem which 
strengthened his hands to slay his brethren." (9: 24.) 
Hence tlie latter are involved in disasters of which the 
present chapter treats. Gaal proves to be a boastful 
weakling, is caught in ambush, the city taken and sowed 
with salt! Even those retreating to the city's tower for 
safety were utterly destroyed by the relentless Abimelech. 
3. Deatli of Abimelech. — The victorious career of 
Abimelech was short-lived. Attacking a city near 
Shechem, and resorting to the same device of destroying 
by fire those in the tower, a woman drops a stone upon 
him, inflicting a death-wound. To save himself from 
the reproach of being slain by a woman, Abimelech calls 
hastily to one of his soldiers to put him to death. "Thus 
God requited the wickedness of Abimelech." 

IV. NEW LEADERS. 
(10: 1-5.) 

1. Days of Tola. — Another of the Judges, suc- 
cessor to Abimelech, judging Israel twenty- three years. 

2. Days of Jair. — Successor to Tola. Judged 
Israel twentv-two vears. 



V. PHILISTINES AND AMMONITES. 
(10:6-12:7.) 

1. Israel's Sin. — ^Again Israel is pictured as doing 
"that which was evil in the sight of the Lord." Idolatry 
is again their curse, and further divine displeasure their 
merited j>ortion. 



TEE LAST OF THE JUDGES. 85 

2. Israel's Distress. — Philistines and Ammonites 

oppress the people of God grievously. East and west of 
the Jordan the war wages. Israel is "sore distressed." 

3. Israel's Penitence. — Though we can but feel 
that Israel is moved more by the dread consequences of 
sin than by remorse for sin itself, God hears their cry. 
Before bringing about their deliverance., however. He 
reminds them of their poor response to His repeated 
mercies of the past. Out of their distress Israel admits 
grievous sin, bids God do with them as He will, but 
begs Him "only" to "deliver us this day." And they 
"put away strange gods from among them and served 
the Lord." 

4. Israel's Pardon. — A marvelous word now comes 
to us out of this sad, sad record of the long ago. Not 
only does God hear His people, but "his soul was grieved 
for the misery of Israel." He "grieves for the miseries 
to which his creatures are reduced by their own sins." 
"Be astonished, ye heavens, at this; and shout for 
joy, all ye inhabitants of the earth!" It is such love 
that brings to us, by and by, the Redeemer! 

5. Israel's Deliverance. — ( 1 ) Israel, in need of a 
leader against Philistines and Ammonites, recalls Jeph- 
thah to serve them. (2) He was "a mighty man of 
valor." (3) He first appeals to the king of Ammon, 
presenting the justice of Israel's cause. (4) His over- 
tures rejected, Jephthah prepares for battle, first making 
a vow to God that later involves him pitifully. (5) 
Victory is granted him. The Ammonites are subc'ued. 

(6) Ephraim, without cause, turns against Jephthah. 

(7) They are overthrown. (8) Jephthah judges Israei 
a period of six years. 



86 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

VI. INCONSPICUOUS LEADERS. 
(12:8-15.) 

1. Days of Ibzan.— The next of the Judges fol- 
lowing Jephthah was Ibzan, whose period of service was 
seven years. 

2. Days of Elon. — Following Ibzan, Elon judged 
Israel for a period of ten years. 

3. Days of Abdon. — The last of the Judges in this 
inconspicuous era was Abdon, whose service covered eight 
years. 

VII. DAYS OF SAMSON. 
(13:1-16:31.) 

1. Birth Foretold. — The thirteenth chapter opens 
with the ijecord of a further apostasy, and the trying 
history of forty years' oppression at the hands of the 
Philistines is condensed into the simple statement of that 
fact. Following this we have the account of the ap- 
pearance of an angel of the Lord to the wife of Manoah, 
announcing the birth of a son who should be "a Nazarite 
unto God." 

2. The Child Samson. — Heeding Manoah's peti- 
tion, the Lord sends His messenger a second time. 
Manoah and his wife are further instructed as to the 
care of the child. The chapter closes with the record of 
the biith of Samson, and the statement that the blessing 
of Grod was upon him. 



TEE LAST OF THE JUDGES, 87 

3. First Exploits. — "Samson is pre-eminently the 
popular hero" of his day. "In rude giant strength and 
wild daring he stands alone against the enemies of 
Israel, contemptuous of their power and their plots," 

His very first recorded move is in seeking a wife 
from among' the Philistines as "an occasion" against the 
latter people. In the midst of the woman's friends he 
puts foj-th a riddle growing out of his remarkable ex- 
perience with a lion. The Philistines induce his wife 
to secure the answer from Samson, declaring they will 
burn her and her father's house if she refuses. She 
finally succeeds. Samson detects the plot, and pays his 
wager debt with -the raiment of thirty Philistines whom 
he slew. 

4. The Weakness of Strength. — Angered by the 
gift of his wife to another, Samson plans to destroy the 
crops of the Philistines. The blazing fields of grain 
attest his prowess, but leave him without defense. The 
madness of the day continues as the household of 
Samson's wife is destroyed, and Samson in return 
vengeance smites the Philistines "hip and thigh with a 
great slaughter." 

5. Overthrow of Philistines. — (1) The Philis- 
tines demand that Judah deliver up Samson. (2) 
Men of Judah, in fear of Philistines, bind Samson to 
surrender him to his foes. (3) Brought, bound, into 
the presence of the Philistines, Samson hears their 
shout of triumph. (4) "The Spirit of the Lord came 
mightily upon him," and the new ropes that bound 
him "became as flax." (5) In mighty power he attacks 
the Philistines and smites a thousand men. 



88 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL. 

6. The Play to the Death. — (1) "By courage 
and energy Samson so distinguished himself in his own 
tribe and in the Philistine border that he was recognized 
as judge. Government of any kind was a boon, and be 
kept rude order, as much perhaps by overawing the 
restless enemy as by administering justice in Israel." 

(2) But the end is at hand. He who has abundant 
strength to slay his foes lias not sufficient strength 
to save himself from sin. 

(3) Entrapped at Gaza, he is able to release himself 
by destroying the gate of the city, but, returning, he 
falls a victim to the wiles of Delilah. 

(4) Taken by tlie Philistines, Samson is reduced to 
a state most pitiable. He is blinded, bound with fetters 
of brass, and put to work grinding grain in the prison 
house — the task of women and slaves. 

(5) The Philistines gather for a great religious 
feast. Samson was brought out to make sport for them. 

(6) A pathetic prayer for strength "only this once, 
God!" reaches the throne of the Infinite. In granting 
it we may not think Heaven was moved by Samson's 
moti^^ — vengeance for his personal blindness — but rather 
that God was manifesting His power to save His people. 
Without the terrific rebuke of this incident, Philistine 
arrogance would have known no bounds and the prestige 
of Jehovah would have been at an end. 

(7) The one thing commendable in Samson's conduct 
in the hour is the absenoe of a plea for himself. He 
was content to die with the Philistines. 



THE LAST OF TEE JUDGE8. S9 

JUDGES TO LESSON XH. 



Qthniel. 


Tola. 


Ehud. 


Jair. 


Shamgayr. 


Jephthah. 


Deborah. 


Ibzan. 


Barak. 


Elon. 


Gideon. 


Abdon. 


Abimelech. 


Samson, 



TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. Give a review of Gideon's life. 

2. Why preserve so dark a record in the Bible? 

3. Character estimate of the Judges as a class. 

4. What was the "conspiracy of Abimekch" ? 

5. What was Jotham's parable? 

6. Tell of the work of Tola. 

7. Tell of the work of Jair. 

8. Tell of the work of Ibzan. 

9. Tell of the work of Elon. 

10. Tell of the work of Abdon. 

11. Tell of the work of Samson. 

12. Ar-e there Delilahs of temptation to-day? 

13. How does it come that the strong are sometimes 
so weak? 

14. What is the secret of mighty strength to-day? 

15. What will take away mighty strength? 

16. How can you explain the cruelty of the time of 
the Judges? 

17. What is the great value in studying this history ? 



90 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

LESSON NUGGET. 

True standards of courage await the coming of Christ. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK, 

On page 18 of your Note-look make a character 
study outline of Samson, giving: I. His Opportunities; 
11. His Mistakes; III. His Elements of Strength. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. FUR. APOS. 


IV. NE. LEAD. 


1. 


Unt. to God. 


1. Da. of To. 


2. 


Uut. to Gid.'s Mem. 


2. Da. of Ja. 


II. CON. OF ABIM. 


V. PHIL. AND AM. 

1. Is.'s Si. 


1. 
2. 
3. 


Shr. PI. 
Co. of Thr. 
Jot.'s Par. 


2. Is.'s Dis. 

3. Is.'s Pen. 

4. Is.'s Par. 




III. CONS. OVER. 


5. Is.'s DeL 


1. 


Reb. of Shech. 


VI. INC. LEAD. 


2. 


Def. of Ga. 


1. Da. of lb. 


3. 


De. of Abim. 


2. Da. of El. 

3. Da. of Abd. 




• VII. DA. 


OF SAM. 


1. 


Bi. Fo. 


(2) End. (3) Vict. 


2. 


Chi. Sam. 


(4) Bli. and Impris. 


3. 


Fi. Expl. 


(5) At Rel. Fea. (6) 


4. 


We. of Str. 


Pray. (7) Abs. of 


5. 


Ov. of Phil. 


Plea. 


6. 


PI. of De. 
( 1 ) Jiidg. 





LOCAL HISTORY. ^1 



LESSON XIII. 
Local History 

(17:1-21:25.) 

I. TIME OF EVENTS. 

"The portion of the Book of Judges which begins 
with the seventeenth chapter and extends to the close 
is not in immediate connection with that which has 
gone before. . . . It is evident that we are carried 
back to the time immediately following the conquest of 
Canaan by Joshua, when Othniel was settling in the 
South and the tribes were endeavoring to establish 
themselves in the districts allotted to them." 

II. CHARACTER OF TIME. 

No matter just when the events are placed, this much 
we know, they are part of the record of a dark day 
when ''there was no king in Israel; every man did that 
which was right in his own eyes." (17: 6.) 

III. THE CASE OF MICAH. 

(17: 1-13.) 

1. Tlie Confession. — The narrative of this chapter 
is of uncertain significance. In the first paragraph 
Micah confesses to his mother the theft of certain money. 
In return for his confession she lifts a curse she had 
pronounced, and, instead, bestows a blessing. 



92 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

2. Tlie Lievite Priest. — The second paragraph tells 
of the reception of a wandering Levite into the home of 
Micah, who, in some sense, became the priest of the place. 

3. An Apostate Household. — In spite of a cer- 
tain type of reverence toward the true God marking the 
conduct of Micah and his mother, it is evident we have 
entered a household where religion has yielded to super- 
stition at least, if not to idolatry. 

IV. THE DANITES. 
(18: 1-31.) 
1.' Seeking Territory. — ^^Certain families of the 
tribe of Dan, having secured what they deem insufficient 
land, send spies to search out opportunities of conquest. 
They come within the borders of Ephraim and to the 
house of Micah. Pressing on, they note defenseless 
Laish and return to report in favor of its possession. 

2. Dishonor as to Micah. — Upon the coming of 
the Danites in their expedition of conquest, they cause 
the weakling priest to desert Micah, carrying away also 
the latter's ephod and images. Micah and his men 
pursue, but soon see that the Danites are too strong 
for them, and return home. 

3. A City Established. — ^Laish falls, and the city 
of Dan, noted as fixing one of the boundaries of Pales- 
tine, takes its place in history. 

V. THE OUTRAGE AT GIBEAH. 
(19:1-20:48.) 
1, Striking Introduction. — The terrible narrative 
that 'follows is introduced by the repeated apologetic 



LOCAL HISTORY. 93 

phrase, "There was no king in Israel." It would seem 
that the writer wanted to remind us that these dreadful 
happenings are in a day of unusual disorder. 

2. A Broken Home. — A Levite and his concubine 
have parted. Theirs had been "no disreputable con- 
nection, for a nuptial engagement with a concubine 
wife . . . possessed the true essence of marriage." 
But trouble bad arisen, and the woman returned to her 
home. 

3. Promise of Better Days. — Doubtless carrying 
out his intent to "speak kindly" to his estranged wife, 
the Levite wins again her confidence, and joys mark the 
life of several days in her father's home. They finally 
face away together. 

4. A Night of Horror, — Attacked by base men of 
Gibeah, the life of the Levite is spared, but untold 
brutality marks the treatment of his wife. We scorn 
him for living while she died so miserably, but standards 
of his day acquitted him. And we may not know all. 
Israel's conduct in response to his striking but awful 
appeal is an indication much in his favor. 

5. Confession at Mizpali. — Aroused Israel meets 
but to condemn the Benjaminites. It is good to see 
them so stirred by a great wrong! But they think to 
win without God! 

6. Defeats and Victory. — How strange -that God's 
favor was withheld and thousands upon thousands sacri- 
ficed ! But it was necessary. Had fickle Israel won 
in its own strength, its victory would have made them 
count God needless. It was love to restrain them from 
themselves ! In spite of the righteousness of their cause. 



94 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

they must be humbled. Two defeats bring them to their 
knees, and then victory is granted. 

VI. THE PATHOS OF GODLESSNESS. 
(21:1-25.) 

1. Israel in Tears. — Surely it was a time for 
weeping! The heart aches that studies this narrative! 
The hand falters that traces it for others ! In righteous 
anger against Gibeah, Israel had gone to wholly un- 
warranted lengths. Xow realizing that they have prac- 
tically blotted out a tribe from Israel, the people are 
in great sorrow. 

2. Wicked Procedure. — How pitifully dark is the 
way of the man without God ! His impulses of good are 
the impulses of the blind! To provide wives for the 
remnant of Benjamin, an abominable oath standing as 
they thought in the way of other lines of conduct,, Israel 
keeps a second vicious oath and slaughters men and 
married women of Jabesh-gilead. Four hundred young 
women are obtained from the desolated camp as wives 
for Benjaminites. Later an outrageous device in con- 
nection with a feast at Shiloh yields the two hundred 
more who are needed. God pity the race if thus left to 
itself! 

3. The One Explanation, — We entered the period 
of the Judges with it defined as the dark ages of 
Jewish history. No student of these lessons will now 
question the appropriateness of this descriptive title! 
The record closes, as it should, with the one word which 
enables us to understand at all. '^'In those days there 



LOCAL HISTORY, 



was no king in Israel : every man did that which was 
right in his own eyes." 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. What is sin? 

2. Why does God permit man to go to such terrible 
depths of sin? 

3. Why does God often use sinful men? 

4. The inability of the corrupted life to plan and 
execute good things. 

5. Pitiful helplessness of characterless resolve. 

LESSON NUGGET. 
Moral and spiritual anarchy come in whenever the 
laws of God go out. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 
On page 19 of your Xote-hook answer these three 
questions : 

1. What is sin? 

2. What is the argument for the "moral man" for 
not becoming a Christian? 

3. Name three values of "dark ages." 

Bt.ACKBOARD AVORK. 



I. TI. OF ET. 
II. CHAR. OF TI. 

III. CA. OF MIC. 

1. Con. 

2. Lev. Pri. 

3. Apos. Ho, 

IV. DAN. 

1. Se. Te. 

2. Dis. to Mic. 

3. Ci. Est. 



V. OU. AT GIB. 

1. Stri. Int. 

2. Bro. Ho. 

3. Pro. of Be. Da. 

4. Ni. of Hor. 

5. Con. at Miz, 

6. Def. and Vic. 



VI. PA. OF GODL. 
1. Is. in Te. 



2. Wi. Pro. 

3. On Expl. 



96 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF ^AUL, 

LESSON XIV. 

An Ancestress of Jesus 

(Ruth 1: 1-22.) 

I. INTRODUCTION. 

1. Cantrasts. — It is relief indeed to turn from the 
petty wars of the Book of Judges to the peace scenes 
of the Book of Ruth — from the tempest of public dis- 
honor to the calm of domestic loyalty. 

2. No Complete Break. — It is gladdening to note 
that while the nation, as such, is distracted and fickle 
in its faitli, there are homes where the Lord is still 
enthroned, the lights of constant faith still burning. 
Earth is never without the leaven of righteousness! 
From the first, there has never been a complete break 
in the chain of belief! 

3. Tributes to tlie Book of Ruth. — "It is a 
ske^h from the love and labor of simple life." . . . 
''It is rich in examples of faith, patience, industry and 
tender affection." ... It grants "a moment of sun- 
shine through thick clouds." 

4. Tributes to Ruth.— "The story of her life 
stands at the portal of the life of David and at the 
gates of the gospel. ... In a country where dis- 
solute sensuality formed one of the elements of idol 
worship, a Avoman appears as wife and daughter chaste 
as the rose of spring and unsurpassed in these relations 
by any other character of Holy Writ." 



AN ANCESTRESS OF JESUS. 97 

II. SORROVTS IN MOAB. 
(1:1-5.) 

1. The Household of Elimelecli. — The study be- 
fore us centers in the sacred home circle of Elimelech. 
His wife's name is Na/omi, and their two sons, Mahlon 
and Chilion. They live in Bethlehem of Judea! 

2. Famine. — In the dark period "when the judges 
judged" — perhaps in the days of Deborah and Barak — 
''there was a famine in the land." It was this that 
impelled Elimelech to move. 

3. Settlement in Moab. — There will be few to 
justify Elimelech's removal to tlie alien land of Moab. 
But an emergency was upon him! He "had to have^^ 
bread! He did not mean to turn his hack upon God! 
Others, in far later days, have taken their children to 
godless sections of earth, seeking only more land! A 
view of fertile fields often blinds the eyes to barren 
surroundings for the soul! 

4. Elimelech's Death. — Elimelech probably 
planned to return to Judea after the famine, but the 
alien land held him by its "advantages." He not only 
moved to Moab, but, the narrative states significantly, 
"continued there." Finally, in Moab, he dies. 

5. Marriage of Sons. — Xot only bereaved of her 
husband, Naomi is next forced to see her sons marry 
heathen wives — Or pah and Euth. 

6. Death of Sons. — Sorrow upon sorrow comes to 
Naomi as death next robs her of both Mahlon and 
Chilion. She is desolate indeed in an alien land and 
sorely bereaved! "Yet all is not shadow. Life never is 



98 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

entirely dark unless with those who have ceased to 
trust in God and care for man," 

III. FACING HOMEWARD. 
(1:6-15.) 

1. Tidings from Judeci. — Her heart turning 
naturally to the old home, Naomi is reassured by the 
word that tliere are now no conditions of famine there. 
The Lord has '^visited his people" and given bread. 

2. Considerate Farewell. — Or pah and Ruth ac- 
company Xaoiiii to tlie borders of tlioir homo. She 
then bids them return, bespeaking tl)o favor of Jehovali 
as a reward for their kindness to tlie dead. Kissing 
them, in a love tliat is beautiful to note, the three tried 
Avomen are all moved to tears. Their common loves and 
common sorrows have bound them together more than 
even they, perhaps, had realized before. 

3. Orpah's Decision. — At first both Orpah and 
Ruth dissent from the suggestions of Xaomi that they 
return to their own home. "Xay, but we will return 
with thee unto thy people," is the exclamation of their 
hearts. But finally, counting the cost more fully, 
"Orpah kissed her mother-in-law" and faced toward 
Moab. As she turns from the sacred scene before us 
she withdraws her name from liuman records ! We hear 
of her no more! It is not hard to believe, however, 
that while the more usual motives of life prevailed with 
her, she lived in lines of Avorth to the close of her days, 
impressed indelibly by the character of Xaomi. 



AN AX CE STRESS OF JESUS. 99 

IV. TRIUMPH OF NAOMI'S FAITH. 
(1: 16-18.) 

1. Ruth's Decision. — Xaomi has spoken plainly, 
and, heeding her word^ Orpah has gone away. But Riitli 
cleaves to her mother-in-law, registering a decision to 
abide with her. 

2. Naomi's Appeal. — Xaomi, true to herself and 
Ruth, almost pleads with the latter to return home. 
The future shall hold no censure. If Ruth leaves country 
and kindred and the gods of Moab, it shall be by her 
own deliberate choice. It is significant that Naomi in 
such an hour, when she must have longed for Ruth's 
companionship and been thrilled by the thought of 
winning her to the true God, yet makes the cost so 
clear. Every appeal, social and religious, is in her 
earnest word, ^'Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back 
unto her people and unto her gods." Ruth must burn 
the bridges behind her if she follows Xaomi. 

3. The Final Word of Committal. — The whole 
world has sounded the praises of Ruth and been moved 
by the beautiful w^ords of her committal: "Entreat 
me not to leave thee, and to return from following 
after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where 
thou lodgest, I will lodge ; thy people shall be my people, 
and thy God my God; wiiere thou diest, will I die, and 
there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more 
also, if aught but death part thee and me." 

4. The Re-ward of Faith. — Ruth is glorious, but 
the world must not forget Xaomi! Without a Xaomi 
there would have been no Ruth! Hers was not an ordi- 
nary character wrought out in an alien land, bearing 



100 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

woful burdens of sorrow and yet keeping the lights 
of faith so burning that Cod was constantly revealed! 
Xaomi, from worldly standpoints, had much to excuse 
rebellion, but loyalty marks her to the end and Ruth 
is her reward ! Little did this humble woman realize 
that God would use her to lead, into the light of the 
world's grateful thought, an ancestress of the Messiah! 

V. THE RETURN TO BETHLEHEM. 
(1:19-22.) 

1. Within the Borders of Home. — Most pathetic 
the picture! Xaomi, after the years, retui^ns to Beth- 
lehem with the marks of age and sorrow so upon her 
that tlie people, gathering about her, ask, "Is this 
Naomi?" Doubtless grief that was controlled in Moab 
lives afresh as this strong woman faces old friends and 
recalls tlie loved ones about her when the farewells were 
spoken years before. 

2. The Wail of the Stricken. — ^True to the 
Jewish thought which ascribed everything directly to 
God, Xaomi answers, "Call me not Xaomi [pleasant], but 
Mara [hi tier], for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly 
with me." Yet, feeling as she does, Xaomi cherished 
her faith. Hers is the spirit of Job, who cried, "The 
Lord oave. and the Lord hath taken awav: blessed be 
the name of the Lord." 

3. At Home in Bethlehem. — The home life of the 
two, Xaomi and Ruth, opens "in the beginning of barley 
harvest." 



AN ANCESTRESS OF JESUS. 101 

ON THE BORDER-LINE. 



Moab. 

False gods. 

Family ties. 

Temporal interests. 

Orpah. 

A name that points a moral. 



Judea. 

Jehovah. 

Obligations to Grod. 

Eternal interests. 

Ruth. 

A name that lives. 



TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. Is there a bright side to every cloud? Illustrate. 

2. Who were the following: Elimelech? Mahlon? 
Chilion ? 

3. Should a Christian ever marry an unbeliever? 

4. What do you like best about Xaomi? 

5. What do you like best about Orpah? 

6. What do you like best about Ruth? 

7. Where was Moab? What kind of a country? 

8. Tell of the conditions of widowhood in different 
countries. 

9. Which is the greater character, Xaomi or Ruth? 

10. Will not Xaomis of to-day find more Ruths to 
bless the world? 

11. What temptations to disloyalty did Xaomi with- 
stand ? 

12. What sacrifices did Ruth make? 

13. What great lesson do you learn from this history? 

14. What verse of Scripture do you like best in 
Ruth 1: 1-22? 

LESSON NUGGET. 
Faith like Xaomi's will still yield lives like Ruth's. 



102 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 20 of your Note-book iiiake an outline of 
the Book of Kuth. 

BliACKnOAIlD WORK. 





I. INT. 






III. FAC. HO. 


1. 


Con. 




1. 


Ti. fr. Jud. 


2. 


No Com. Bre. 




2. 


Cons. Far. 


3. 


Trib. to Bo. of Rii. 


3. 


Or.'s Dec. 


4. 


Trib. to Ru. 




IV. 


TRI. OF. NAO.'S FA. 




II. SOR. IN 


MO. 


1. 


Ru.'s Dec. 


1. 
8. 


Ho. of Elim. 

Fam. 

Set in Mo. 




2. 
3. 
4. 


Na.'s A^, 

Fi. Wo. of Com. 

Rew. of Fa. 


4. 
5. 


Elim.'s De. 
Mar. of So. 






V. RET. OF BETH. 


6. 


De. of So. 




1. 
2. 

3. 


Wi. Bor. of Ho. 
Wa. of Stri. 
Ho. in Beth. 



LESSON XV. 
In the Fields of Boaz 

(Ruth 2: 1-4:22.) 

I. THE OPENING OF THE W^AY. 
(2: 1-23.) 

1. Ruth's Disposition. — Ruth is no idle, emo- 
tional dreamer. Her religion is of the practical turn. 
She does not lean heavily upon Naomi, but, rather, 
plans to support. Her first request is for consent to 
glean in the fields "after the reapers," taking that por- 
tion which the humane provisions of the law reserved 
for the poor. 



IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ. 103 

2. Guided by Favor. — The narrative says, simply, 
that "her hap was to light on the portion of the field be- 
longing unto Boaz." Who questions the providence of 
God in this? 

3. Conversation with Boaz. — Dramatic interest 
attaches to the unfolding narrative. The future is at 
stake! Boaz, discovering Kuth, asks about her and at 
once provides for her safety and comfort. She is moved 
deeply by his kindness, and asks why she has found 
favor in his sight. In answer, Boaz reveals the good 
heart of a loyal man, whom the period of the Judges 
has not led into pathways of alienation from Israel's 
God. He has heard of Ruth's kindness to Naomi and 
of her turning from her own people to strangers. 
Piously he exclaims, "Jehovah recompense thy work, and 
a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of 
Israel, under whose Avings thou arc come to take refuge." 
What a message of peace! 

4. Special Favors. — At mealtime Boaz makes 
special plans for Ruth. iShe shares the lunch of the 
reapers. More than this, the reapers are told not only 
to let her glean among them, but even to drop some 
grain purposely that would thus come to her hand. 

5. Report to Naomi. — The simple story unfolds 
in thrilling beauty. When Ruth left the humble home 
of Naomi in the morning, it was to face a trying day. 
Naomi was anxious through all the hours. Now the 
evening brings glad and grateful word from Ruth, and 
Naomi praises God. Ruth tells of her favored service, 
shows the grain and gives Naomi — a tender touch in 
the scene — a, portion of the noon luncheon which had 



104 FROM JORDAl^ TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

been beyond her own needs. Naomi first exclaims, 
"Blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee," but 
when she finds out that it was Boaz, her heart turns 
from man to God, and she sees in Boaz a redeemer sent 
"of Jehovali" to help them in their need. 

6. Obligations of Kinsmen. — Naomi's word, 
"The man is nigh of kin to us," was word of hope and 
promise. "The office of the next of kin was threefold: 
1. It belonged to him to buy back the forfeited inher- 
itance, or the liberty of him who had been obliged to 
sell himself for a servant. 2. It was his right to 
avenge the blood of any of tlie family who had been 
killed, by killing the murderer. 3. It belonged to him 
to take the widow of a deceased brother, or relative, if 
he died childless. If the nearest akin in any case re- 
fused, he was treated with indignity, lost his right to 
the inheritance, and the next of kin to him might come 
forward and take the Avidow, as in the case of Boaz." 

7. Continued Labor. — Ivuth rejoices to tell 
Naomi that she has not only been favored this one day, 
but like privileges were to be hers to the end of 
harvest. Naomi, pleased with tliis, cautions her not to 
leave the fields of Boaz, and the work continues. 

II. THE PLAN OF NAOMI. 

(3:1-5.) 
1. Naomi's Anxiety. — Naomi's heart can be un- 
derstood, but her line of action can not be approA'cd. 
Her plan is not of faith. It is the device of the shrewd. 
And yet, remembering all her experiences, and her loy- 
alty through them, censure is forbidden. Now her 



IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ, 105 

heart is to provide well for Ruth, and the law as to 
next of kin prompts lier to take unusual steps to secure 
its ad,vantages. 

2. Steps to be Taken. — Ruth is to wash and 
anoint herself and go to tlie threshing-floor. When 
Boaz retires she is to lie down at his feet — "a position in 
which' Eastern servants frequently sleep in the same 
chamber or tent with their master." Not that women 
did this, but Ruth, in doing it, took a servant's place. 

3. Ruth's Obedience. — Ruth at once assents to 
Naomi's plan. Some have questioned her because of 
this. But the censure that niay be deserv^ed attaches to 
Naomi. She had told Ruth much of the claims upon 
the nearest of kin. The latter knew nothing of lines 
of procedure. She acted wholly upon Naomi's advice. 
More than this, Boaz had only shown the noble. She 
had no reason to fear him. Still more, her own char- 
acter was a protest against the thought of unworthiness. 
We can not sanction Naomi's plan, but it must not in- 
volve in dishonor. The clear light of God reveals no 
sin, even though darkness of earth gave opportunity. 
Boaz and Ruth ring true. 

III. THE RESPONSE OF BOAZ. 

(3:6-18.) 
1. Tbe Discovery of Rutb. — At midnight Boaz 
is startled to find some one at his feet. Asking who it 
is, Ruth answers with the claim for his protection as a 
near kinsman. It is, to the righteous man of old, a 
sacred appeal. The one at his feet reminds him of his 
right to redeem! 



106 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

2. The Claim Admitted.— It is great to hear 
Boaz in an hour that might have challenged passion. 
The things of God move him instead. ''Blessed be thou 
of Jehovah, my daughter," he exclaims, and later adds, 
"Fear not; I will do thee all that thou sayest." Then 
there is the tribute voiced, "All the city of my people 
doth know that thou art a worthy woman." Then he 
tells her, however, that while it is true that he is a 
near kinsman, there is one nearer. He must be reckoned 
with first. If he does not do a kinsman's part, Boaz 
assures Ruth that he will. 

3. Caution. — In early morning hours Boaz bids 
Ruth leave the threshing-floor. Tliis for the protection 
of their names from the unjust criticism of those unable 
to believe in the purity of the scene we have witnessed. 
Again let it be noted that the hazard was far too great 
to warrant Naomi's plan, but Boaz and Ruth come 
through unscathed! 

IV. THE KINSMAN'S PART. 
(4: 1-22.) 

1. Conference at tlie Gate. — At the gate of the 
city the issues are joined. Boaz calls the one nearer of 
kin than himself, and asks ten of the elders of the city 
to judge between them. He then states the whole case 
and awaits the answer. 

2. Riglit of Redemption Surrendered. — The 
near kinsman at once surrenders his privileges. He 
would "mar" his own inheritance through property or 
marriage entanglements if he were to act upon his right 
of redemption. There was no dishonor in his conduct, 



IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ. 107 

for Boaz had given him choice in the matter. Yet, as a 
pledge of the transaction, he removed his shoe and gave 
it to Boaz. Boaz then calls upon all to witness the 
agreement, and their response, "We are witnesses,^' closes 
the matter. 

3. Good Wishes. — The religious setting is again 
to be noted. It is beautiful to see life wrought out 
in the felt presence of God. The exclamation of the 
elders as to the favor of Jehovah attending the woman 
who was to come to the house of Boaz recalls the old 
and better days of Israel. 

4. The Wife of Boaz. — Ruth, the Moabitess, is 
wife of Boaz. But she comes to him as one believing in 
Israel's God. The women congratulate Xaomi, crying, 
"Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day 
without a near kinsman." And as the child is born to 
Ruth, they exclaim in happy prophecy, "Let his name 
be famous in Israel." And the scene closes with the 
worn and bereaved Xaomi clad in gladness of life again! 
If she were to speak now, she would say, "Call me no 
more Mara [bitter], but Naomi, [pleasant] !" 

5. The Line of David. — The heart is thrilled as 
the lesson closes. We are taking a long step forward. 
Messiah is coming clearly into view. Xot only of 
Abram's seed and out from Judah, but from David's 
family, we know One is to come whose kingdom is to 
have no end. And our journey has led us into view 
of David. The child Obed nestles in the bosom of gentle 
Ruth. Obed is the father of Jesse, and Jesse of David. 
Interest quickens! We press forward eagerly! 



108 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. Who was Boaz? 

2. Name some trials of Ruth in the new land. 

3. Tell of the beauty of Ruth's relationship to 
Naomi. 

4. Tell of the humane provisions of the law. 

5. Tell of the dignity and honor of Boaz. 

7. What was the kinsman's part? 

6. HoAv far is Naomi to be condemned for her plan 
as to Boaz and Ruth ? 

8. Why is the life of Ruth of special importance? 

9. What great truth do you learn from this study? 
10. What verse do you like best in Ruth 2: 1-4: 22? 

LESSON NUGGET. 
There is large place for life with God in fields of 
human toil. 

NOTE-BOOK AVORK. 
On page 21 in your Note-hook draw a map locating 
Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho, and the land of Moab. 
Below your map write three incidents connected with 
Bethlehem. 

BI.ACKBOARD W ORK. 





I. OP. OF WA. 








II. PLA. OF NA. 




1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 
5. 
6. 

7. 


Ru.'s Disp. 
Gui. by Fav. 
Con. wi. Bo. 
Spe. Fav. 
Rep. to Na. 
Ob. of Kin. 
Cont. Lab. 








1. Na.'s Anx. 

2. Ste. to be Tak. 

3. Ru.'s Obed. 

III. RES. OF BO. 

1. Disc, of Ru. 

2. Cla. Ad. 

3. Cau. 




' 




IV. 


KIN'S 


PAR. 




1. 
2. 


Con. at Ga. 

Ri. of Red. Snrr. 








3. Go. Wish. 

4. Wi. of Bo. 








5. 


Li. 


of 


Dav. 





A MOTHjbJK';S aiPT TO JEHOVAH, 100 



LESSON XVI. 
A Mother^s Gift to Jehovah. 

(1 Sam. 1: 1-2:21.) 

I. THE HOUSEHOLD OF EILKANAH. 

(1:1-8.) 

1. A Levite. — Without much question the Elkanah 
of 1 Chron. 6: 33, 34 is the Elkanah of this narrative, 
but we have no mention of any priestly service of any 
kind in relation to his life. 

2. A Polygamist. — Elkanah had two wives, Penin- 
nah and Hannah. Customs of the times permitted this, 
but the result was always sad. It was not of God. 
*'In the beginning it was not so." 

3. A Devout Man. — In ritualistic religious life at 
least, Elkanah was devout. He was regular in his 
attendance upon the feasts of his people at Shiloh. It 
is greatly to his credit that he did not allow himself 
to be turned from the worship of God by the fact that 
the officiating priests, Hophni and Phinehas, were un- 
worthy. 

4. Hannah, the Favorite. — ^\Vhen Elkanah made 
his peace offerings, the greater part was returned to him, 
as only the blood was poured out at the foot of the 
altar, the fat consumed by the fire and the breast and 
right shoulder given to the pries^. ^'It was out of 
these consecrated viands Elkanah gave portions to all 



110 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

the members of his family, and unto Hannah a larger 
choice, according to the Eastern fashion of showing 
regard to beloved or distinguished guests." This he did 
because of his special love for her. 

5. Family Jealousies. — Irritated by Elkanah's 
partial love for Hannah, Peninnah seeks to make the 
latter miserable, and succeeds. She taunts her with 
being childless, which to the Jewish woman was a matter 
of ^ sorrow and reproach. Finally matters go so far 
that Hannah is unable to eat and turns from the others 
in tears. The record charges her with no bitter word. 
Patient under sore trial, her life is beautiful. She is of 
right spirit to approach the Lord, as the narrative next 
reveals her. 

II. HANNAH'S PRAYER. 
(1:9-18.) 

1. Direct Approach to God. — Hannah found no 
refuge in her home and Avhen home fails the heart the 
portion is very bitter. Peninnah ceaselessly tormented 
her, and her husband did not, could not, understand her. 
She is driven to her God and from these strange, sad, 
yet glorious hours, the earth has received many a rich 
contribution ! 

2. The Cry of Distress. — The deeps were broken 
up. Hannah's whole life cried and prayed itself out 
before Jehovah. It was one of those wonderful "last 
resort" hours of life when one lets go all else but God! 
And in His mercy He never turns away at such a time 
nor chides because we have not come before! 

3. The Petition and the Vow. — There is a rare 



A MOTHER'S GIFT TO JEHOVAH. Ill 

wealth of heart in Hannah's words: "0 Jehovah of 
hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy 
handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy hand- 
maid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, 
then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his 
life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." 

4. The Motives. — Hannah must not be borne in 
mind as one seeking nothing more than personal grati- 
fication in the joy of motherhood or as one anxious 
m<?rely to still a rivaPs voice. Everything in the 
record calls to higher plane. The best and truest of 
Jewish womanhood speaks through her as she longs for 
a child to dedicate to the service of Jehovah. She 
wants to feel that God's face is not against her. She 
wants to be in line with gracious promises as to coming 
days of Israel's glory when "all families" are to be 
blessed. The child she asks is not to be cherished as 
her own, but dedicated as a Xazarite to the service of 
God. He is to be kept for Jehovah's use! Oh for more 
such motherhood! 

5. Eli's Benediction. — Seeing her lips move, but 
hearing no voice, Eli at first thinks Hannah's prayer 
but the mouthings of the drunken. Her defense is in 
words almost as beautiful as the noted utterance of 
Ruth. "No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful 
spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but 
I poured out my soul before Jehovah." At this the 
aged high priest bids her "go in j)eace,'* and himself 
petitions the God of Israel in her behalf. Hannah's 
burden of heart is lifted. She feels that Jehovah has 
heard and "her countenance was no more sad." 



112 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

III. THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL. 

(1:19-23.) 

1. An Hour of Worship. — Before starting upon 
the return journey from Shiloh the household of Elkanah 
worships God. 

2. The Answer to Prayer. — The yearning of 
Hannah for the joys of motherhood is granted. A child 
is born, and in remembrance of the prayer hour at 
Shiloh he is called Samuel — asked of God. 

3. Loyalty to a Sacred Vow. — When the time 
comes to go to Shiloh again for the yearly sacrifice 
Elkanah goes alone. Hannah plans to tarry at home 
in motherhood ministry "until tlie child be weaned." 
Then, in the deep devotion of her life she will "bring 
him tliat he may appear before Jehovah, and there 
abide forever." 

IV. THE GIFT TO JEHOVAH. 

(1:24-2: 11.) 

1. Walking with God. — Hannah has a mother's 
heart. The surrender of the child even in harmony with 
a sacred vow to God is not easy. The jovirney from 
home to Shiloh when Samuel was piobably about three 
years old is a journey of wondrous life reaches. Home 
ties of tenderest type are to be broken, but ties to 
God strengthened. Hannah has planned to. make her 
first visit to Shiloh, after Samuel's birth, deeply signifi- 
cant. Eli is to be reminded of her pledge as she 
presents the loved little one for the perpetual service 



A MOTHER'S GIFT TO JEHOVAH. 113 

of Jehovah! On the way the home scene seems first 
sad, then glorious, as most sacred interests of earth 
yield to interests of heaven. It is a walk with God 
to Shiioh! 

2. The Presentation to Eli. — After the offering 
of appropriate sacrifices, the child Samuel is brought to 
the aged high priest and presented to him as Jehovah's 
representative, for service "as long as he liveth." If 
the question is raised. How was Hannah able to do 
this? let the following discerning words answer: "For 
three years that child had been her constant companion, 
had lain in her bosom, had warmed her heart with his 
smiles, had amused her with his prattle, had charmed 
her with all his engaging little ways. How was she 
able to part with him? Would he not miss her too, as 
much as she would miss him? Shiioh was not a very 
attractive place, Eli was old and feeble, Hophni and 
Phinehas were beasts, the atmosphere was offensive and 
pernicious. Nevertheless, it was God's house, and if a 
little child should be brought to it, capable of rendering 
to God real service, God would take care of the child. 
Already he was God's child. Asked of God, and heard 
of God, he bore already the mark of his Master." And 
how gloriously the sequel vindicates such faith! 

3. The Song of Thanksgiving. — Not in mourn- 
ing, but in exaltation of spirit, the Jewish mother turns 
from the temple of God. She is not thinking of her- 
self as losing the child, but of God as having him ! • 
What rebuke for much of modern, selfish, godless parent- 
hood ! 



114 FROM JORDAN TO TEROSE OF SAUL. 

V. CONTRASTED SCENES WITHIN THE 

TEMPLE. 

(2: 12-21.) 

1. Sin. — Eli's sons are a blot upon the narrative. 
In utter irreverence they allow their selfish greed to 
lead them to take for themselves what belonged to others 
and ''they would serve themselves before God was 
served." I'heir sin ''was very great before Jehovah." 

2. Righteousness. — How sweet the very word! 
How sacred the scene it stands for! Two paragraphs 
adjoining, but worlds between them! It rests the soul 
to turn from Hophry and Phinehas to the child Samuel 
who "ministered before Jehovah." And how beautiful 
the tender love that the "little robe" stands for! No 
wonder tliat Cod blessed this home and that the child- 
less Hannah, with so true a woman's heart, was granted 
further joy I 

3. Promise. — The lesson closes with the word of 
cheer, "and the child Samuel grew before Jehovah." 
We shall find out, later, the significance of this mother's 
precious gift to God! 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. Analysis of the character of Elkanah. 

2. What are some of the causes of family discords? 

3. What is the glory of true womanhood? 

4. Do we have correct views as to the relationship 
of our children to God now? 

5. What was hard about leaving Samuel at the 
i^emple ? 

6. What joys were there in giving the child to 
temple service ? 



A MOTHER'S GIFT TO JEHOVAH, 115 

7. Does the world need more Samuels? If so, how 
are they to be obtained? 

8. What rebuke in the lesson with regard to the 
withholding of children from Christian work? 

9. Would it not compensate for all loss to have 
tidings borne to parents, and the child's growing be- 
fore Jehovah? 

10. When should we consecrate our children to God? 

11. What verse in 1 Sam. 1: 1-2: 21 do you like 
best? 

12. Give a thought-gem gathered from this lesson. 

13. Why should we be anxious to have the children 
active in the church work? 

LESSON NUGGET. 

"A mother is a mother still, the holiest thing alive." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 22 of your Note-hook make an outline of 1 
Samuel. Write below your outline a thought-gem gath- 
ered from the book. 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. HO. OF ELK. 




III. BI. OF SAM. 


1. 


Lev. 


1. 


Ho. of Wor. 


2. 


PoL 


2. 


Ans. to Pray. 


3 


Dev. Ma. 


3. 


Loy. to Sa. Vo. 


4. 


Ha. Fav. 






5. 


Fam. JeaL 




IV. GI. TO JEH. 






1. 


WaL wi. Go. 




II. HA. PRAY. 


2. 


Pre. to EL 


1. 


Dir. App. to Go. 


3. 


So. of Tha. 


2. 


Cry of Dis. 






3. 


Pet. and Vo. 




V. CON. SCE. WI. TEM. 


4. 


Mot. 


1. 


Si. 


5. 


EL'S Ben. 


2. 


Rig. 






3. 


Prom. 



116 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL. 



LESSON XVII. 
The First of the Prophets. 

(1 Sam. 2:22-3:21.) 

I. CHARACTER CONTRASTS, 
(2:22-26.) 

1. Hoplini and Phinehas. — The lesson opens with 
a description of the flagrantly sinful lives of the sons 
of Eli. Neither the admonitions of their father nor 
the natural restraints of the holy place of God kept 
them from outrageous evil. 

2. Samuel. — Over against the base lives of the 
sons of Eli it is refreshing to read of Samuel, who 
"grew on, and increased in favor both with Jehovah, 
and also with men." 

3. The Cost of Sin. — Doubtless Hophni and 
Phinehas boasted of their "independence,'' counted them- 
selves "having a good time" and scouted the wliolesome 
piety of Samuel. Yet they lost the favor of both God 
and man, and live to-day only^o emphasize an appeal to 
the righteousness which they despised. Instead of being 
"independent," they were slaves : instead of a "good time," 
their days brought miseries to themselves and others; 
and the piety they scorned is coming to be understood 
by the whole world as the only way of peace and joy 
and hope. 



TEE FIRST OF THE PROPHETS. 117 

II. PROPHECY AGAINST HOUSE OF ELI, 
(2:27-36.) 

1. The Man of God. — A messenger from God is 
sent to Eli. The time of reproof is at hand. 

2. Tlie Priesthood. — The man of God first traces 
the beginnings of the priesthood. He goes back to the 
time when Israel was in Egypt, and Aaron — spoken of 
as Eli's "father," but removed several generations — was 
made the first high priest. The idea was to impress 
Eli once again with the great honor God had bestowed 
upon his house and to remind him also of the assured 
provision granted him and his. The more shame in 
present conditions at Shiloh! 

3. The Reproof. — "Why kick ye at my sacrifices?" 
Why "honorest thy sons above me"? Hophni and 
Phinehas, as we have learned, were taking of the sacri- 
fices not only what God's law provided, but whatever 
portion they pleased. And Eli in his weak parental 
indulgence permitted this, thus giving them favor above 
God himself. But the eye of Heaven notes our conduct 
and finally we reckon with Grod! 

4. The Penalty. — Not reproof alone, but penalty, 
attaches to Eli's weakness and the sins of his house. 
Jehovah has covenanted with Aaron that his house 
should enjoy the privileges of an abiding priesthood, but 
disloyalty cancels obligations. God's promises always 
have the condition, expressed or implied, that His name 
shall be honored. Now therefore affliction is to come 
upon Eli's house. His sons, to succeeding generations, 
shall die without reaching old age, and, worse than all, 
the priesthood shall pass to another. The sign of the 
truth of these words — the pitiful sign Eli himself shall 



118 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

see — is the death of his two sons in a single day. "Oh, 
sin, what a brood of sorrows dost thou bring forth!" 
5. The Fulfillment. — The death of Hophni and 
Phinehas is recorded within our present lesson and the 
passing of the priesthood from the house of Eli is notad 
in 1 Kings 2 : 27-35, where Abiathar, the last of his 
descendants, is thrust out by King Saul, and Zadok 
installed in his place. 

III. THE CALL OF SAMUEL. 
(3: 1-18.) 

1. A Precious Ministry. — Turning from Hophni 
and Phinehas to Samuel is always turning from the 
darkness to the light. I^ninfluenced by the evil about 
liim, the consecrated bov orows to glorious early man- 
hood ministering unto Jehovah before Eli. Days of 
preparation are now^ passed. The door to larger service 
is opening before the son of Hannah. We know what is 
on ahead. But to Samuel, that last day before his call 
was just as other days. Yet God teas about to speak 
to him, rcicarding days of holy life and ministry! 

2. The First Call. — The silence of night is upon 
Shiloh. All is darkness except within the apartments of 
Eli, where a dim light burns. Samuel is asleep near 
the aged high priest, perhaps in an adjoining room. 
Our God is looking on. The moment is big with mean- 
ing. At length He who inhabiteth eternity, speaks, 
calling Samuel by name. The young man simply an- 
swers, promptly, "Here am I," and runs to Eli. He 

Jvuows not that he has heard the voice of God. When 
Eli tells him that he wants nothing Samuel returns to 
his rest. 



TEE FIRST OF THE PROPHETS. 119 

3. The Second Call. — Again hearing his name, 
Samuel goes to Eli, saying, "Here am I, for thou callest 
me." The old man only answers kindly, "I called not, 
my son; lie down again." 

4. The Third Call. — A third time the name upon 
the heart of God is spoken. Even yet Samuel has no 
thought of any voice beyond Eli's, calling, though he 
must be marveling. But Eli '^'perceived that Jehovah 
had called the child." How the iieart is thrilled by such 
a thought! Now Samuel is told to lie down again and 
if the call comes once more he is to answer, "Speak, 
Jehovah; for thy servant he'areth." No one can know 
his feelings as he turns this third time from Eli, 
waiting now — to hear from God! 

5. The Message from on High. — Not long would 
Heaven keep the chosen one in waiting. Soon the name 
is spoken, spoken twice — "Samuel, Samuel" — . God 
knows the one who years ago was asked of Him ! Sam- 
uel answers as Eli had told him and then the Judge 
of all the earth reveals to him the decreed desolation of 
the house of Eli. The purposes of Jehovah are shared 
with Hannah's son! 

6. Dread Tidings for Eli. — ^Awed in heart both 
by the experiences of the night and the awful knowl- 
edge that is his, Samuel does not rise till morning, 
fearing to show Eli his vision. But Eli knows much 
of what is impending and wants to know all. He is 
indeed a pathetic sight as he pleads for information 
God has given Samuel, the "child" beneath his roof. 
Heaven has passed by him to speak to another, but in 
unquestioning loyalty he bows to Heaven's will without 
complaint, cherishing no bitterness toward the one 



120 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

favored of God. And Samuel tells him, at length, 
"every whit." Then the aged man, in noblest resignation 
exclaims, '"It is Je'.ovah: let him do what seemeth him 
good.'' 

IV. THE PROPHET OF GOD. 
(3: 19-21.) 

1. Samuers Place. — Last of the judges and first 
of the prophets as Samuel is often called, he certainly 
fills a unique place in Israel's history. "Like the book 
which bears his name, Samuel comes in as a connecting 
link between the judges and the kings of Israel, He 
belongs to a transition period. It was appointed to 
him to pilot tlie nation between two stages of its history: 
from a republic to a monarchy; from a condition of some- 
what casual and indefinite arrangements to one of more 
systematic and orderly government. The great object of 
his life was to secure that this change should be made 
in the way most beneficial to the nation, and especially 
most beneficial for its spiritual interests." 

2. Samuel's Power. — God was with him we are 
told, and let none of his words fall to the ground! All 
Israel recognized that he was established a prophet of 
Jehovah. The Lord appeared to him in repeated visions 
and his word caire to all Israel ! We have met a great 
man fitted of God for a large place! 

3. Samuel's Relation to tlie Propliets. — "Be- 
fore his day, the prophetic office was but a casual illu- 
mination; under him it becomes a more steady and 
systematic light. He was the first of a succession of 

prophets whom God placed side by side with the kings 
and priests of I'^rael to supply that fresh moral and 
spiritual force whicli the prevailing worldliness of t^e 



THE FIRST OF THE PROPHETS, 121 

one and formalism of the other rendered so necessary 
for the great ends for which Israel was chosen." 
TOPICS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION. 

1. What are some of the sorrows brought on by a 
thankless and godless child? 

2. What are some of the joys a worthy child brings 
to the parents? 

3. Does it pay, here and now, to do right? 

4. Are sinful men really *'free" — "independent"? 

5. Does God know us by name now? 

6. What would you answer if He should call? 

7. What sort of a place do you want to be in and 
what do you want to be doing when God calls? 

8. How does God call men to-day? 

9. What verse in 1 Sam. 2:22-3:21? 

10. Give a great truth taught in to-day's lesson. 

LESSON NUGGET. 
"The wages of sin is death." 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 
On page 23 of your Xote-hook answer Xos. 1, 2, 6, 
8, 9; and 10 of the "Topics for Research and Discussion." 
BLACKBOARD AVORK. 



I. CHAR. CONT. 




III. CA. OF SAM. 


1. Hor). and Phin. 


1. 


Free. irin. 


2. Sam. 


2. 


Fi. Ca. 


3. Co. of Si. 


3. 


Sec. Ca. 




4. 


Thi. Ca. 


PRO. AG. HO. OF EL. 


5. 


Mes. fr. on Hi. 


1. Ma. of Go. 


6. 


Dre. Tid. for El. 


2. Prie55. 






3. Rep. « 




IV. PRO. OF GO. 


4. Pen. 


1. 


Sam.'s Pla. 


5. Ful. 


2. 


Sam.'s Pow. 




3. 


Sam.'s Rel. to Pro. 



122 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 



LESSON XVIII. 
The Ministry of Samuel. 

(1 Sam. 4: 1-Y: 17.) 

I. PHILISTINE TRIUMPHS. 

(4: 1-21.) 

1. The First Battle. — Israel's age-long foe is 
again at the front. The Philistines are massed against 
them, ^^'hen battle is joined Israel goes down in defeat. 

2. The Cause of Israel's Defeat. — After yielding 
to the Philistines the elders of Israel ask, "Wherefore 
hath Jehovah smitten us?" The answer Avas apparent, 
but they Avere blind to it. It was not a superior force 
that had overwhelmed Israel, but Israel's own sins had 
been th.ir undoing. 

3. The Device of the Faithless. — It was not 
faith that led the leaders of Israel to suggest taking 
the ark into the midst of the battle. It was lack of 
faith. Faith would have borne them to their knees in 
penitence that would have brought favor. Superstition 
only, or practical idolatry, could induce them to think 
that the ark itself would bring blessings wTien borne 
by unworthy hands. 

4. The Acclaim of the Irreverent. — ^Not stop- 
ping to think of what is involved in taking the ark, 

jinbidden of God, into the camp of warriors, the men of 
Israel shout with a great shout as they see in their 
midst this emblem of the presence and power of God. 



THE MINISTRY OF SAMUEL. 123 

5. The Dismay of Israel's Foes. — Israel's super- 
stitious joy is only equaled by the superstitious dread of 
the Philistines when the ark is discerned. At first it 
seemed that the forces of the foes of the people of God 
could not be held together. ''Woe unto us" is their 
cry. But undaunted leaders finally rally their men by 
picturing bondage to Israel as the penalty of defeat. 

6. The Second Battle. — Again the issues are 
joined in battle and again Israel goes down in defeat. 
The day is a noted one, for prophecy is fulfilled in the 
death of both Hophni and Phinehas, and a marvelous 
thing befalls Israel in the capture of the ark. What 
can this mean? Has God forsaken His people? 

7. The Death of Eli. — Eli, the aged priest of God, 
awaits, in fear, tidings from the battle. Finally the 
news is borne to him. 

First, Israel has fled before her enemies. 

Second, There has been great slaughter among the 
people. 

Third, Thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are 
dead. 

Fourth, And what a catalogue of sorrows — The ark 
of God is taken! 

It is too much! At mention of the taking of the 
ark, the poor old man, Avell meaning but weak, falls 
backward to his death. He felt, in the language of the 
daughter-in-lav>' whose deatli marks the same dread 
day, that the glory was departed from Israel, and the 
shock was too great to bear. 



124 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

II. PHILISTINE HUMILIATIONS. 
(5:1-7:2.) 

1. The Ark in the House of Dagon. — Jubilant 
because of their capture of the ark, the Philistines place 
it in the temple of Dagon, the chief deity of their people. 
By this they meant honor to Dagon at Jehovah's' 
expense and the utmost shame to Israel. 

2. The False God Overthrown. — Pride and joy 
yield, to humiliation and terror wlien, the next morning 
following the placing of the ark in the temple of Dagon, 
the idol is found fallen upon its face. Hardly realizing 
what has happened, Dagon is replaced, but again, the 
following morning, he is found fallen and mutilated, 
before the ark ot God. The priests^ and all others, in 
dread, desert the piace. 

3. Afflictions at Ashdod. — Not only is the temple 
at Ashdod thus desolated, but the people of the city 
now -suffer grievous plagues. Finally they cry out 
against the ark remaining in their midst, for they are 
convinced that the hand of Israel's God is sore upon 
them. They are learning that w^hile Jehovah would 
not uphold Israel's unwarranted use of the ark, neither 
wall He suffer shame upon His name at the hand of 
aliens. Philistines must understand that in capturing 
Israel's ark they w^on no victory over Israel's God! 

4. The Ark a Burden. — From Ashdod the ark is 
taken to Gath. Afflictions follow. The next removal is 
to Ekron, but the people there protest. Even in the 
Bour of their protestation, however,, the hand of God is 
heavy upon them. The Philistines are sorely perplexed. 
Days of Egyptian plagues are recalled. (6; 6.) 



THE MINISTRY OF SAMUEL. 125 

5. Tlie Device for Relief. — Priests and diviners 
are called for. The question is how to send the ark back 
to its place. First, it is advised that trespass offerings be 
Bent. Second, that a new cart be made. Third, that two 
milch kine be taken as the beasts of burden, their 
calves to be withheld from them. Fourth, the ark is 
to be placed upon the cart and jewels in a coffer by 
its side, and then the cattle started, but allowed to 
choose their own way. If, drawn by their calves or the 
more familiar pathways, the cattle turn homeward, 
Philistines are to be assured that all their afflictions 
have come by "chance," but, if otherwise, they are to 
know that Israel's God has laid His hand upon them. 
The result brings Philistines face to face with' the 
greater than Dagon — the Jehovah of Israel! 

6. The Ark in Beth-shemesli. — Facing south- 
ward the milch kine draw the ark toward the territory 
of Israel. "Their frequent lowing attested their ardent 
longing for their young, and at the same time the 
supernatural influence that controlled this movement 
in a contrary direction." Finally Beth-shemesh is 
reached and men of Israel, reaping in the fields, re- 
joice deeply as they see the ark. A service of thanks- 
giving ends the day and Philistines face away toward 
their own lands and people. How could they turn 
away f 

7. The Ark at Kiriatk-Jearim. — All was not 
joy at Beth-shemesh. Forgetting how sacredly the ark 
was guarded under the provisions of the law, seventy 
men (the "fifty thousand" seems an assured interpola- 
tion) pay the penalty of life for irreverent curiosity. 



126 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

It seems hard, but careless Israel needs hard lessons. 
Bowed down by their local sorrow, Beth-shemesh sends 
to Kiriath-jearim for men to take the ark away. To 
the latter place it is taken, therefore, and there it 
remains twenty years. 

III. SAMUEL THE JUDGE. 
(7:3-17.) 

1. An Appeal for Reconsecration. — In the con- 
densed narrative before us, many things are omitted. 
Thus far we have heard nothing in detail as to Samuel's 
influence, but we know that his word "came to all 
Israel" (3: 19-4: 1) and that his wor^ was always for 
the good. Now we find liim pleading with God's people 
to "return unto Jehovah" and to "put away foreign 
gods." It is a glimpse of the darkness against which 
the prophet stood all his days. Happily, in tliis instance 
his appeals win over Israel to avowed loyalty. 

2. The Conference at Mizpah. — We return to 
Mizpah for another striking incident of our journey. 
With the people all about him, and in penitent mood 
too, the great leader^, in solemn service, commits them 
unto God. A few verses tell the story, but not all of it. 
Only heaven understands the reaches of a scene where, 
men cry out, "We have sinned against Jehovah ! " 

3. The Philistines Discomfited. — Noting 
Israel's assemblage and fearful of what it involved, the 
Philistines move forward to attack them. Israel had 
no cause for alarm! The place of prayer has wondrous 
fortifications! In answer to Samuel's petition in 
Israel's behalf, a gre^t storm beats upon the Philistines, 



TEE MINISTRY OF SAMUEL. 127 

awing and disorganizing them and giving tliem as prey 
to the hand of Israel. Nor did they rally during tli« 
days of Samuel. 

4. Eben-ezer. — As a memorial of God's goodness 
a stone is placed at Mizpah and called Eben-ezer — The 
stone of help. 

5. Gracious Ministry. — While many incidents of 
his life are recorded later, it is good to come upon the 
word just hero (7: 15) that "Samuel judged Israel all 
the days of his life." Going from place to place in an 
established circuit, he administered justice and spoke 
for God among the people. Ramah was his settled home 
and there "he built an altar unto Jehovah." 



TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. What is one sure cause of defeat? 

2. To how many phases of life does sin's cursing 
influence apply? 

3. Are there still substitutes for righteousness? 

4. How do you feel about events at Beth-shemesh ? 

5. Where is the safest place in all the world? 

6. Have you placed any stones of help along life's 
journey? 

7. How about an altar at your Eamah? 

8. W^hat verse in ISam. 4: 1-7: 17 do you like best? 

9. Give a great truth taught in this lesson. 
10. Is reconsecration possible? 

LESSON NUGGET. 
"The citadel of prayer baffles all foes." 



128 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

On page 24 in your Note-hook make a summary of 
Israel's condition during the period of the Judges, and 
give some of the good and bad -eiffccts of those ''dark 
days." 

BLACKBOARD AVORK. 





I. PHIL. TRI. 




II. PHIL. HUM. 


1. 

2. 

4. 
5. 
('). 
7. 


Fi. Bat. 

Ca. of Is.'s Def. 
Dev. of Faith. 
Ace. of Irrev. 
Dis. of Is. Fo. 
Sec. Batt. 
Dea. of EI. 




1. Ar. in Ho. of Dag. 

2. Fa. Go. Ov. 

3. Afflic. at Ash. 

4. Ar. at Bur. 

5. Dev. for Rel. 
G. Ar. at Be-8h. 

7. Ar. at Kir.-jear. 




III. 


SAM. 


THE JUD. 


.1 . 


A pp. for Recoil. 
Conf. at Miz. 
IMiil. Discom. 




4. p]b. 

5. Grac. Minis. 



LESSON XIX. 
The Throne of Saul. 

(8: 1-10:27.) 

I. THE SONS OF SAMUEL. 
(8: 1-3.) 

1. Their Names. — When Samuel came to old age 
he made his sons judges over Israel. Their names were 
Joel and Abijah. 

2. Their Character. — These men, like Eli's sons, 
~were iinworthy their father. They walked not in the 



TEE THRONE OF SAUL. 129 

ways of Samuel, but were thoroughly dishonorable, 
taking bribes and perverting justice. 

II. THE DEMAND FOR A KING 

(8:4-22.) 

1. A Kind Word of Protest. — The people decide 
that there must be a change. They honor Samuel, but 
resent being under his sons. The elders therefore visit 
the prophet at Ramah and remind him of his incapacity 
for service, owing to his age, and of the unwortliiness of 
his sons. 

2. The Trying Request. — Not only did the elders, 
however, seek to better conditions. They had a new 
plan, a plan of their own, to present. They ask the 
renerable judge and prophet to make way for a king! 
Israel would be "like all the nations." 

3. Samuel's Displeasure. — The request of the peo- 
ple was in every way displeasing to ^Samuel. He could 
but recall the glory days of Israel's history and marvel 
that any Israelite should wish to turn from the theoc- 
racy, that had granted the mighty men and yielded the 
mighty deeds of the past, to any other form of govern- 
ment. While it is true that their new plan did not 
contemplate a complete subverting of the theocratic 
government, it was equally true that "the appointment 
of a visible monarch would necessarily tend to throw 
out of view their unseen King and Head." 

4. Tlie Divine Consent. — Jehovah bids Samuel 
yield to the desire of the people. He reminds him 
that they are not rejecting him, but God. It is one 
more step in their ingratitude and disloyalty. Never- 



130 FROM JORDAN TOITHRONE OF SAUL, 

tlieless, the plan is to be approved, but Samuel is to give 
warning as to what a king will mean. 

5. The Divine Warning. — In harmony with his 
instructions Samuel tells the people what they may 
expect if one is placed upon a throne to rule over them. 
Their sons and daughters will be demanded for menial 
service, and for his armies and the display of his splen- 
dor. Their fields, vineyards and olive yards will be 
the king's at his pleasure. They will be summoned to 
do his work and a tithe of all they have will go to his 
enrichment. Yea, they shall cry out for relief, but 
Jehovah will not answer. 

6. The Blindness of Israel. — All Samuel's words 
are in vain. The glitter of their ideal has blinded 
Israel. "Nay; bijt we will have a king," they answer. 
They are fascinated with the thought of royal splendor 
and the King of all the earth yields ! 

III. THE SON OF KISH. 
(9: 1-14.) 

1. A Stalwart Man. — At this point in our journey 
we meet a marked man, Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe 
of Benjamin. He is a mighty man of valor. He is o| 
great height, standing "from his shoulders and upward" 
above those about him. He is of kingly type! 

2. A Lowly Task. — The son of Kish is seeking 
his father's asses. A careful search is fruitless, however, 
and in consideration for his father he suggests a return 
home. 

^ 3. Seeking Guidance. — Saul's servant knew of 
Samuel and suggested consultation with him as to their 



THE THRONE OF SAUL, 131 

quest. How naturally things are working out to bring 
Saul to lines of life of which he has not faintest dream! 
Who can say God is not leading? Finding that the 
servant has gifts to present as a token of respect, Saul 
consents to the plan of going to the seer and they start 
to find him. With Saul the pathway is the pathway 
of unconscious steps to a throne! 

IV. THE PROPHET OF GOD. 

(9:15-10:16.) 

1. Jeliovali's Guidance. — We have seen Saul 
journeying toward Samuel. Xow we see the latter all 
prepared for Saul's coming. When the two men meet, 
Jehovah reveals the definite purpose in mind by point- 
ing out Saul as the one who shall have authority over 
all Israel. 

2. In tlie Prophet's Presence. — Xot knowing 
Samuel, Saul asks him where the seer's house is. In 
answer Samuel declares himself and bids him come to 
his house. Saul is to eat with him to-day. To-morrov- 
he will tell him all. To relieve him of care as to his 
father's asses, however, Samuel tells the young man they 
are found. Next in the conversation Samuel asks the 
significant question, "For whom is all that is desirable 
in Israel?" And at once answering the question himself, 
he adds, "Is it not for thee, and for all thy father's 
'louse ?" How much Saul discerned in this we may not 
Know, but he speaks in most becoming modesty as to 
himself, his family and his tribe. 

3. At the Feast. — Each hour brings a surprise to 
the son of Kish. He now finds himself an honored 



132 FROM JORDAy TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

guest at a fea^t in the midst of about tiiirty prominent 
men. Every attention is shown him. Some think 
that even the table service has significance and that 
the shoulder is given Saul, "not because it was the best 
part, but because it was an emblem of the government 
to which he was now called." (Tsa. 9: G.) 

4. Hearing the Word of God. — After the feast 
Samuel and Saul commune alone upon the housetop. 
Here doubtless Saul slept through the night. In the 
morning early, Samuel calls him and they start out in 
the road together. At the limits of the city Samuel asks 
Saul to send his servant on ahead, but bids him tarry 
that he may cause him "to hear the word of God." 
How sacred the prophet's place — s^wkesman for the 
Infinite ! 

5. The Anointing. — Xow is a moment of vital 
bearing upon all history 1 First pouring oil upon Saul's 
head, Samuel kisses the stalwart young man and asks, 
"Is it not that Jehovah hath anointed thee to be prince 
over his inheritance?" Samuel is great in this moment, 
for it is now his to decrease while Saul increases in the 
view of Israel! 

6. The Confirmation. — Xot questioning Samuel, 
there would yet come to the mind of Saul a desire for 
the confirmation of the prophet's word. Where so much 
is involved he has every right to positive assurance. 
Three signs are therefore given. ( 1 ) He is to meet men 
voicing his father's anxiety for his son. (2) He is to 
^eet men going up to Bethel and they will salute him 
and give him provision. (3) He is to meet a company 



THE THRONE OF SAUL. 133 

of prophets and the Spirit of God will so come upon 
him that he will take his place among them, also 
prophesying. All these things coming to pass make Saul 
know that Samuel indeed had power to speak for God. 
In his own heart he is satisfied, but reaching home he 
says nothing of things pertaining to the kingdom. 

V. THE KING OF ISRAEL. 
(10: 17-27.) 

1. Gathering at Mizpah. — Israel is once more 
called to Mizpah. In the assembly of the people Samuel 
reviews briefly God's leading of the past and reminds 
them that in their cry for a king they are rejecting 
Him who, hitherto, hath saved them out of all their 
calamities and distresses. Yet, as spok^man for God, 
he is ready to yield to their will. 

2. Casting Lots. — The people are taken first by 
tribes and the lot falls to Benjamin. Then families are 
taken and the family of Matri is taken, and when they 
seek the individual the lot falls to Saul, the son of Kish. 

3. Israel's King.— Shrinking from responsibilities 
that he already knew were to be his, Saul is in hiding. 
P^inally brought forth, however, the people note his 
kingly stature and are pleased. Physically "he is every 
inch a king" and in his marked personality there is 
strong and satisfying appeal to the imagination of 
Israel. In loyalty to the will of God, though pained 
deeply by Israel's conduct, Samuel buries his sorrows 
and upholds the throne of Saul! 

"See ye him," he cries, "whom Jehovah hath chosen, 
that there is none like him among all the people." Then 



134 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

rang out in Israel's camp a new shout for the people 
of God — "Long live the king!" Israel has become "like 
other nations!" 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION. 

1. What do you understand by a "kingdom"? 

2. Why did Israel want a king? 

3. Are we moved to-day by the same motives? 

4. Can you see any of the leadings of God in 
human history? 

5. Cliaracter study of Samuel — prophet of God. 

G. What are three of the strongest elements in 
Samuel's character ? 

7. Character study of Saul — king of Israel. 

8. What are some of the qualifications of a Chris- 
tian ruler? 

9. Can we always know Avhat God's will is concern- 
ing any matter? 

10. What verse in 1 Sam. 8: 1-10: 27 do you like 
best? 

11. Give a great truth learned from this lesson. >- 

THE OLD AND THE NEW. 

The incidents of this intermediate period of Old 
Testament history are far less a part of the New Testa- 
ment narrative than incidents of the earlier days covered 
by our first book or incidents of Ikter days that will be 
before us in subsequent studies. There are, however, 
some New Testament confirmations of the Old Testament 
to be noted. 

1. The fact of Joshua's conquest of Jericho in 
manner described in Old Testament. (Heb. 11:30.) 



TEE THRONE OF SAUL. 135 

2. The fact of Rahab's favor to the spies and her 
own subsequent safety. (Heb. 11: 31; Jas. 2: 25.) 

3. The fact of judges being raised up of God. (Acts 
13: 20.) 

4. The fact of the lives of Gideon, Barak, Samson, 
Jephthah and Samuel — judges of Israel. (Heb. 11: 32.) 

5. The fact of Boaz and Ruth. (Matt. 1:5.) 

6. The fact of Israel's request for a king. (Acts 
13: 21.) 

7. The fact of Saul, son of Kish, tribe of Benjamin, 
being made king. (Acts 13: 21.) 

CHRISTWARD. 

In Lesson I. of this little book are noted foregleams 
of the Messiah gathered from last year's study. A feAV 
more pointings Christward are here to be gathered up. 

1. The Life and Work of Joshua. — While too 
much may be made of Joshua as a type of Christ, it is 
certainly not pressing matters too far to note a few 
things of marked significance. 

( 1 ) The names mean the same — Joshua, Jesus — 
Savior. 

(2) Joshua led Israel across the Jordan into the 
Promised Land. Christ leads to the heavenly Canaan. 

(3) Joshua led Israel to the conquest of their 
enemies. Jesus is the Captain of our salvation. 

2. The Descent of Jesus from Boaz and Ruth. 
— The Book of Ruth tells of the marriage of Ruth and 
Boaz. From these the genealogy leads to David and 
from David to Messiah. (Matt. 2: 5-16.) 

3. The Perpetual Priesthood. — In 1 Sam. 2: 



136 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

35, 36 there is the word that God will raise up "a 
faithful 2:)riest that shall do according to that which 
is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him 
a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed 
forever." While this prophecy finds direct fulfillment in 
the person and descendants of Zadok, many feel that in 
general terms it reaches forward to the glad Messianic 
period and to our blessed High Priest who indeed always 
does that which is in the heart and mind of God! 



ON TO BETHLEHEM. 

Two stages in our journey are of the past. We have 
traveled together from Eden to the throne of Saul. 
Of late the pathway has led us many times in ways 
that were hard and sad and dark. But our God has 
never been responsible for the burden or the darkness. 
Men put out the lights of faith by sin. 

We look forward hopefully. He who has saved Israel 
from such days as we have seen, bearing and forbearing 
far beyond all human mercy, must have good things in 
store. He seems unwilling that His people should deny 
themselves the boons He longs to give. He will not be 
turned from His purpose of blessing. Another Joshua 
will come! Euth's line of loyalty will reproclaim itself! 
A High Priest will be revealed whose offering will break 
the heart of the world and turn it unto God! The 
glory days of Israel's kings will yield to far more 
wondrous clavs of Israel's King! Faith blazes the way 
clear through to Bethlehem! 



THE THROVE OF SAUL, 



137 



LESSON NUGGET. 

A longing to be "like others" often dethrones God 
in human life that petty sovereigns may rule. 

NOTE-BOOK WORK. 

In your 'Note-tooh on page 25 give a brief character- 
study of Samuel, 

BLACKBOARD WORK. 





I. SO. OF SAM. 




IV. PROP. OF GO. 


1. 


The. Nam. 


1. 


Jeh.'s Guld. 


2. 


The. Char. 


2. 


In Proph.'s Pres. 






3. 


At Fea. 




II. DEM. FOR A KI. 


4. 


Hear. Wo. of Go. 


1. 


Ki. Wo. of Prot. 


5. 


Auoin. 


2. 


Try. Req. 


6. 


Conf. 


3. 


Sam.'s Displ. 






4. 


Div. Cons, 




V. KI. OF ISR. 


5. 


Div. Warn. 


1. 


Ga. at Miz. 


6. 


Blin. of Isr. 


2. 


Ca. Lo. 






3. 


Is.'s Ki. 




III. SO. OF KI. 






1. 


Stal. Ma. 






2. 


Lo. Ta. 






3. 


Se. Guld. 







138 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

LESSON XX. 
Review. 

Use Questions 1 to 491 in back of book. 

NCKTE-BOOK WORK. 

In your Note-hook make the following: 

Page 26. — Chart of Old Testament History giving 
the sixteen leading characters, six periods, three events 
in each of the first four periods, two epochs in the fifth 
period and five, epochs in the sixth perioil. Also give 
the four Old Testament institutions of worship. 

Page 27. — Map Showing Saul's Kingdom. 

Page 28. — One Thought-gem each from the first 
nine books of the Old Testament. 

Page 29. — Compare Joshua and Christ. 

Pages 30 and 31. — Write Answers to Trial Examina- 
tion Questions furnished by your teacher. 

Page 32. — Do Something Original. 




£N6RA/£0 ESPeciAur rop the sundaro usso» sEfnes 



plVlSIOfSS 



PALESTINE 







142 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OP SAUL. 



DRILL QUESTIONS. 



1. How far in our Old Testament journey did 
the first year's book carry us? 

2. What is the reach of the present volume? 

3. What is the extent of our entire journey? 

4. What is the first period of Old Testament his- 
tory? 

5. What is the extent of the period of probation? 

6. What is the Scripture of the period of proba- 
tion? 

7. What is the second period of Old Testament his- 
tory ? 

8. What is the extent of the period of preparation? 

9. What is the Scripture of the period of prepara- 
tion? 

10. What is the third period of Old Testament 
history ? 

11. What is the extent of the period of conquest? 

12. What is the Scripture of the period of conquest? 

13. What Scripture did the first year's book cover? 

14. What was the keynote of the first book? 

15. What Scripture is covered by the present 
volume ? 

16. What is the keynote of the present volume? 

17. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Genesis ? 

~^ 18. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Exodus? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QVESTIOSS. 143 

ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 



1. From Eden to the Jordan. 

2. From the Jordan to the throne of Saul. 

3. From Eden to Bethlehem. 

4. Period of Probation. 

5. From Creation to Deluge. 
G. Gen. 1:1-8: 14. 

7. Period of Preparation. 

8. From Deluge to Exodus. 

9. Gen. 8: 15-50: 26; Exodus Chapters 1-14. 

10. The period of Conquest. 

11. From the Exodus to Coronation of Saul. 

12. Exodus 15-40, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 
Joshua, Judges, Kuth and the first ten chapters of 1 
Samuel. 

13. The Pentateuch. 

14. All history is mystery until it is understood as 
His story. 

15. Joshua, Judges, Ruth and 1 Samuel 1-10; com- 
pleting period of Conquest. 

16. Loyalty to God's word is the secret of conquest. 

17. The book of beginnings. 

18. The book descriptive of Israel's going fortli 
from the land of bondage. 



144 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

19. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Leviticus ? 

20. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Numbers ? \ 

21. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Deuteronomj^ ? 

22. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Joshua ? 

23. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Judges ? 

24. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
Ruth ? 

25. What is the distinctive place of the book of 
First Samuel ? 

26. Give key words for the books of the Old Testa- 
ment — Genesis to First Samuel inclusive. 

27. Give stopping places of our journey thus far. 

28. Xame noted acquaintances made by the way. 

29. Name others we have met. 

30. What foregleam of Christ is given in Genesis 
3: 15? 

31. What type of Christ in Genesis 4:4? 

32. What promise in Genesis 12: 1-3? 

33. What Scripture tells that the Messiah shall 
come from the tribe? 

34. What Scripture tells of the prophet to oome 
"4ike unto Moses"? 

35. As we study the great characters of the Old 
Testament, what nugget of truth may be picked up? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 145 

•19. The spiritual statute book of Israel. 

20. The census book of Israel. 

21. The book which restates the law with emphasis 
upon its spiritual a^^plication. 

22. The record of Israel's conquests in Canaan. 

23. The book descriptive of "the dark ages of Jewish 
history." 

24. A story of faith in a setting of faithlessness. 

25. Life and labors of the last of the Judges and 
first of the Prophets introducing the kingdom of Israel. 

26. Genesis, Beginnings ; Exodus, Wilderness ; Levit- 
icus, Priesthood ; Numbers, Census; Dueteronomy, 
Restatement; Joshua, Conquest; Judges, Dark Ages; 
Ruth, Faithfulness ; First Samuel, Kingdom. 

27. Eden, Mt. Ararat, Ur, Haran, Shechem, Bethel, 
Hebron, Egypt, The Wilderness, and Canaan on before. 

28. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and, 
waiting to greet us, Joshua, Gideon, and Samuel. 

29. Eve, Cain, Abel, Seth, Shem, Ham, Japheth, 
Sarah, Lot, Isaac, the brothers of Joseph and the 
Pharaohs of Egypt, Jethro, Aaron, Nadab, and on before 
us, Caleb, Achan, Samson, Ruth, Hannah and Eli. 

30. The promise that the seed of the woman shall 
bruise the serpent's head. 

31. Abel's lamb offered in sacrifice. 

32. That in Abram's seed "all families" of the earth 
are to be blessed. 

33. Gen. 49: 10. 

34. Deut. 18: 15-19. 

35. Comradeship with the noble makes life's journey 
great. 



146 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF 8AUL, 

36. What is Israel's new leader? 

37. From whom is Joshua descended? 

38. What sacred charge w^as in the hands of the 
family of Joshua? 

39. What indicates Joshua's high standing in the 
camp of Israel? 

40. Give seven characteristics of Joshua. 

41. Wliat is Closes' prayer to God? 

42. What does Jehovah foretell to Joshua? 

43. How does He notify the new leader for hi^ 
tasks? 

44. To what book of the Bible do we now turn? 

45. Give outline of tlie book of Joshua. 

46. What reveals the unity of Scripture? 

47. What command to the Israel of Joshua's day 
brings long standing promises into view? 

48. How does God cheer the new leader? 






. ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 147 

36. Joshua. 

37. Joseph. 

38. The remains of Joseph. 

39. Being chosen to lead forces against Amalek and 
later, as one of the twelve spies. 

40. (1) Nurtured in home of faith. (2) Untainted 
by worldly relationships. (3) Patriotic. (4) Brave. (5) 
Grodly. (6) Wise. (7) Trustw^orthy and useful. 

41. For the appointment of a man over the con- 
gregation that the people be not as sheep which have 
no shepherd. 

42. Israel's evil conduct. • 

43. By the charge to be strong and of good courage 
and the promise that he shall bring the Children of 
Israel into Canaan. 

44. Book of Joshua. 

45. Part I. Conquest of Western Palestine. Chap- 
ters 1-12. 

Part II. Division of the land among the tribes. 
Chapters 13-21. 

Part III. Settlements East of the Jordan. 
Chapter 22. 

Part IV. Last days and last words of Joshua. 
Chapters 23, 24. 

46. The thread of sacred promise running through 
all. 

47. ^'Go over tliis Jordan * * unto the land which 
I do give them." 

48. By the word, "There shall not any man be 
able to stand before thee" and the further personal 
assurance "As I was with Moses so will I be with 
thee; I will not fail thee nor forsake thee." 



148 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

49. Were these promises without conditions? 

50. What was Joshua's part? 

51. Upon wliat does his prosperity and "good suc- 
cess" depend? 

52. What is the final assurance of Joshua's com- 
mission ? 

53. Xanie three promises given Joshua. 

54. Xame three conditions. 

55. Xame three aims of God. 

56. As we study the Lord's promises to Joshua upon 
entering the Land of Canaan, what nugget may be picked 
up? 

57. What are two marked characteristics of Joshua? 

58. Wliat tribes were assigned lands East of the 
Jordan ? 

59. What is now demanded of them however? 

60. What is their splendid word of loyalty? 

61. What is Joshua's next move? 

62. Who gives them information and protects them? 

63. What are conditions in Canaan? 



ANSWER8 TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 149 

49. They were not. 

50. ( 1 ) He must be "strong and of good courage." 

(2) He must plan well and execute fearlessly. (3) He 
must enforce "all the law" handed down by Moses. 

51. Upon his loyalty to the word of God. 

52. "Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever 
thou goest." 

53. (1) All the land promised the fathers. (2) Xo 
man able to stand before Israel. ( 3 ) The constant 
presence and blessing of God. 

54. ( 1 ) Courage in battle. ( 2 ) Loyalty in peace. 

(3) The insistent observance of all the law. 

55. ( 1 ) To manifest his own faithfulness and teach 
men their real dependence. (2) To win victories on 
character levels. (3) To preserve Israel as a means 
of blessing all men. 

56. The riches of heaven are subject to the sight 
draft of faith. 

57. ( 1 ) Promptness in obedience to God's com- 
mands. (2) Faith as to God's part. 

58. Reuben, God and the half tribe of Manasseh. 

59. That their armed men go with others to the 
conquest of territory West of Jordan. 

60. "All that thou hast commanded us we will do, 
and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go." 

61. He sends spies "to view the land and Jericho." 

62. Rahab. 

63. The terror of Israel's God is upon them. Their 
hearts have melted and there remains no spirit in any 
man 



150 FR03I JORDAN TO THRONE OF ^AUL. 

64. What is the true report of the spies? 

65. Before moving forward what were the people 
commanded to do ? 

GQ. What word from Jehovah comes to Joshua? 

67. How far are priests to go before stopping? 

68. How far are the priea-ts in advance of the 
people ? 

69. What was the condition of tlie river? 

70. Describe tlie making of Israel's pathway through 
the river? 

71. What marks the steps of God this wondrous 
day? 

72. Wliat is erected on the banks of Jordan? 

73. What is the purpose of this memorial? 

74. When we study the Lord's leadings as Joshua 
enters Canaan, what nugget of truth may be picked up? 

75. What is the effect, upon the Canaanites, of the 
miracle at the Jordan? 

76. What rite is now restored ? 

77. Wliat is Israel's first camp in Canaan? 

78. How does Joshua use Gilgal? 

79. Who appears to Joshua at the time? 

80. Why this vision at just this time? 

81. What is the first city Israel moves against? 

82. ^^^o plans the attack? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 151 

64. "Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands 
all the land." 

65. To sanctify themselves. 

66. "This day will I begin to magnify thee in the 
sight of all Israel." 

67. To "the brink of the waters." 

68. Two thousand cubits. 

69. Overflowing its banks. 

70. "The waters which came down from above 
stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off ""' * * 
and those that went down toward the sea * * ^ were 
wholly cut off and Israel passed over right against 
Jericho." 

71. Deliberate order and limitless power. 

72. A memorial pile of twelve stones. 

73. To call out questions and reinforce the teach- 
ing of later generations. 

74. A man alone, sees barriers; with God, there 
are none. 

75. There is dismay ever3rv\^here '"because of the 
children of Israel." 

76. Circumcision. 

77. Gilgal. 

78. As headquarters or base of supplies. 

79. The Captain of the Lord's host. 

80. To cheer a chosen man facing a tremendous 
task. 

81. Jericho. 

82. Jehovah. 



152 FROM JORDAX TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

83. What are the steps in the attack? 

84. What of Jericho's standing? 

85. How does Joshua receive such a plan of attack 
SG. What is the result? 

87. Whose lives are spared? 

88. What of Jericho's future? 

89. , What is one great lesson taught by the destruc- 
tion of the C'anaanites? 

90. What are further motives of God in such lines 
of action? 

91. Xame six incidents just before the crossing of 
the Jordan. 

92. Xame five incidents immediately following the 
crossing of the Jordan. 

0.3. What nugget may be picked up in the study of 
Israel's "First Days in Canaan?" 

94. Who sinned at Jericho? 

95. What was the sin? 

96. What i» xhe second city Israel plans to attack? 

97. What do spies report about Ai? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 153 

83. ( 1 ) Once each day for six days the walls of 
Jericho are to be compassed by Israel's men of war. 

(2) Seven priests are to bear trumpets before the ark. 

(3) The seventh day the city is to be compassed seven 
times. (4) At the last there is to be a long blast of 
the ram's horn and a great shout by the people. (5) 
At this the walls are to fall. 

84. A city of wealth, promise and sin. 

85. Only to execute the plan in its every detail, 
promptly. 

86. The fall of Jericho and the complete conquest 
of its people. 

87. Rahab and her people. 

88. The cui'se of God rests upon him who shall 
attempt to rebuilt it. 

89. The exceeding sinfulness of sin. 

90. The saving of his people and liis law that 
generations to the end of time may be blessed. 

91. (1) Three days' provision. (2) Rallying of 
forces. (3) Spies in Rahab's house. (4) Report of 
broken spirit of Canaanites. (5) Sanctifying the peo- 
ple. (6) Cheer from on high. 

92. (1) Memorial stones. (2) Camp at Gilgal. (3) 
Circumcision. (4) Captain of Lord's host. (5) Capture 
of Jericho. 

93. "Xot by might nor by power but my spirit 
saith the Lord of hosts." 

94. Achan. 

95. The theft of treasure devoted to God. 

96. Ai. 

97. Not more than two or three thousand armed 
men will be needed for they of Ai "are but few." 



154 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, v 

98. What does this report suggest? 

99. What is the result of attack upon Ai? 

100. What of Israel's feelings now? 

101. What does Joshua do? 

102. What consideration particularly moved him? 

103. Who reveals the cause of defeat at Ai? 

104. How did He state the cavise? 
lOo. What cancels promises of favor? 

106. How is the guilty man detected? 

107. Who had known about the guilt all the time? 

108. What was the price of Achan's honor and life. 

109. What penalty was visited upon Achan? 

110. At this stage, who cheers Joshua? 

111. What force is taken? 

112. How was the force divided? 

113. What strategy Avas practiced? 

114. What of the outcome on the strategy? 

115. What incident is noted in the valley of 
Shechem ? 

116. Between what mountains is the valley of 
Shechem ? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 155 

98. Israel's feeling of independence. 

99. Israel's disastrous defeat. 

100. "The hearts of the people melted and became 
as water." 

101. He cries before God lamenting that Isra-el 
has crossed the Jordan. 

102. The emboldening of all the people of Canaan 
by Israel's defeat at little Ai. 

103. Jehovah. 

104. "Israel hath sinned." 

105. Sin. 

106. By lot. 

107. God and, Achan. 

108. A pretty Babylonish mantle, a bit of sihx'r 
and a wedge of gold. • 

109. Death. 

110. The Lord himself bidding him have no fear 
but to proceed against Ai. 

111. All Israel's armed men. 

112. Half for attack in front; half to lie in ambusli 
in rear of city. 

113. (1) Men in front are to attack and turn 
and flee. (2) Men of Ai drawn out in pursuit will 
leave city open to Israel's force in ambush. (3) Tins 
force, entering the city, will set it on fire. (4) Israel's 
attacking force will then face about and Ai will be 
cut to pieces between two armies. 

114. Israel's complete success — restoring prestige 
in Canaan. 

115. A great service of thanksgiving. 

116. Ebal and Gerizim. 



156 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

117. Who planned the gathering in this valley? 

118. How are the tribes to be stationed? 

119. Who reads the law? 

120. Which mountain was the mountain of bless- 
ings ? 

121. Which the mountain of curses? 

122. Why so called? 

123. Who combine against Israel? 

124. Who secure, by strategy, a covenant with 
Israel ? 

125. How is Gibeon threatened? 

126. Who hurries to Gibeon's relief? 

127. Why? 

128. Who fights for Israel? 

129. Tlie result? 

130. What final victories complete the record of 
conquest ? 

131. What glad record is made? 

132. When we read of Achan's sin in entering into 
the land of Canaan, what nugget of truth may we pick 
up? 

133. Is conquest actually complete when the land 
rests from war? 

134. What word comes from Cod to Joshua? 

135. What leads some of the tribes to locate East 
of Jordan? 

136. What tribes locate East of Jordan? 

137. How many tribes locate West of Jordan? 

138. What assignment is given the priestly tribe of 
Levi? 

139. Why is no land assigned the Levites? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 157 

117. Moses. 

118. Six upon each mountain. 

119. Priests standing in valley between the moun- 
tains. 

120. Gerizim. 

121. Ebal, 

122. Because tribes stationed upon these moun- 
tains respectively set seal of approval upon blessings 
and cures of the law by a loud Amen. 

123. The stronger peoples of Canaan. 

124. Gibeonites. 

125. By attack of other peoples outraged by her 
alliance with Israel. 

126. Joshua. 

127. To keep covenant witli Gibeon and to shatter 
hopes of Canaanites in strength of their combinations. 

128. Jehovah. 

129. The complete overthrow of Israel's foes. 

130. (1) Many cities of the West. (2) All the land 
of the South. (3) All the hill country of the North. 

131. "And the land had rest from war." 

132. Sin cancels promises of favor. 

133. It is not. 

134. "There remaineth yet much land to be pos- 
sessed." 

135. An agreement with Moses which Joshua rati- 
fied. 

136. Rueben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseb. 

137. Nine and one-half. 

138. None, except cities of residence. 

139. They were occupied with priestly duties. 



158 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

140. How are lands distributed? 

141. What exception to this? 

142. Why this exception? 

143. Why was this promise made to Caleb? 

144. Who was the other man whose faith did not 
fail when the twelve spies were sent into Canaan? 

145. How long had Caleb eiierished the promise of 
Moses? 

146. Wliose descendents count two in the division 
of the land? 

147. Why this favor? 

148. What tribe shows weakness? 

149. What marks them unfavorably? 

150. Who raises question as to territory assigned 
them ? 

151. Who, particularly, should have raised no ques- 
tion ? 

152. What do they assign as reason for complaint? 

153. What is, in effect, Joshua's answer? 

154. Where was land available? 

155. Where has Israel's camp been during all seven 
years of conquest? 

156. To what place does Israel move at this stage 
of the narrative? 

157. What is set up at Shiloh? 

158. How many tribes have yet to take possession 
of territory assigned them? 

159. What steps are taken? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 159 

140. By lot. , 

141. The case of Caleb, representing the tribe of 
Judah. 

142. Caleb made claim upon a promise of Moses 
which all Israel respected. 

143. Because "he wholly followed Jehovah, the 
God of Israel" at the time the twelve were sent to 
spy out the land of Canaan. 

144. Joshua. 

145. Forty-five years. 

146. Joseph's. 

147. Probably in deference to Jacob's word of bless- 
ing in which he promised "one portion above thy 
brethren." 

148. Manasseh. 

149. Incomplete conquest and the use of Canaan- 
ites as slaves. And later in common with other 
tribes, intermarrying with alien peoples. 

150. Descendents of Joseph. 

151. Descendents of Joseph. 

152. A "great people" needs more room. 

153. A "great people should be able to acquire 
more land." 

154. Woodland not counted in tlie division and 
possessions still in hands of Canaanites. 

155. At Gilgal. 

156. To Shiloh. 

157. The tabernacle. 

158. Seven. 

159. Joshua urges haste, surveys are made, boun- 
daries fixed and lots cast. 



160 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

160. What special cities was Israel to appoint after 
crossing the Jordan? 

161. What was the purpose of cities of refuge? 

162. If proved guilty what action was taken? 

163. If innocent what was the line of procedure? 

164. How many cities of refuge are chosen? 

165. How many East of the Jordan? 

166. What are they ? 

167. How many West of the Jordan? 

168. What are they? 

169. What is the threefold family division of the 
tribe of Levi? 

170. What were the duties of the Kohathites? 

171. What were the special duties of the Ger- 
shonites ? 

172. What were the special duties of the Mirarites? 

173. What temporal support comes to the Levites? 

174. How many cities or villages are assigned them? 

175. What nugget may be picked up in studying 
Israel's "Completing the Conquest?" 

176. What is Joshua's word to Reuben, Gad and 
the half tribe of Manasseh? 

177. What is built by these Transjordanic tribes? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 161 

160. Cities of refuge. 

161. To provide a haven of safety to a man slayer 
pending trial. 

162. The man slayer was surrendered to the avenger 
of blood and his own life paid the penalty of his crime., 

163. The homicide was protected in his life but 
must remain in the city of refuge until the death of 
the high priest. 

164. Six.- 

165. Three. 

166. Bezer, Golan and Ramoth. 

167. Three. 

168. Kadesh, Hebron and Shechem. 

169. According to sons of Levi, — Kohath, Gershon 
and Merari. 

170. They furnished the priests — the househxDld — 
of Aaron — and had care of the ark and oth-er sacred 
furniture of the ark when Israel moved from place to 
place. 

171. In time of moving they bore the tent of meet- 
ing itself and its curtains and coverings. 

172. In time of moving tliey had charge of the 
boards, bars and pillars of the tabernacle. 

173. Cities for residence and tithes from other 
tribes. 

174. Forty-eight. 

175. Complete conquest alone warrants "rest from 
war." 

176. Pommendation and dismissal to their territory 
beyond the Jordan. 

177. An altar. 



162 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

178. What is their motive? 

179. How did tribes West of Jordan interpret the 
building of the ark? 

ISO. Who show commendable spirit? 

181. AMiai noted word now conies from the lips of 
Joshua ? 

182. What does he review? 

183. What is condition of future *^avor? 

184. What does Joshua pass on to the people? 

185. What warning is voiced? 

186. Where are the tribes assembledi for the great 
leader's farewell ? 

187. What is Joshua's great appeal? 

188. What is necessary and unavoidable for Israel? 

189. What is the superb announcement of Joshua's 
OAvn choice? 

190. What is the first cry of the people? 

191. What does Joshua answer? 

192. What is the people's earnest protestation? 

193. What closes the striking scene? 

194. What is Joshua's last act of record? 

195. Give five incidents following the fall of Jericho. 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 163 

178. The safety and instruction of their people in 
relation to Jehovah. 

179. As rebellion in the desertion of Shiloh. 

180. Tribes East of Jordan. 

18 L "I am old and well stricken in years." 

182. The triumphant days of God's leadings and 
the absolute certainty of His promises. 

183. Israel's loyalty. 

184. His own commission with its injunetion of 
loyalty to the Word of God. 

185. If Israel is disloyal the nation will perish. 

186. Shechem. 

187. '^Now therefore fear Jehovah and serve him 
in sincerity and in truth." 

188. A choice between Jehovah and the gods of 
other nations. 

189. "As for me and my house, we will serve 
Jehovah." » 

190. "Far be it from us that we should forsake 
Jehovah to serve other gods." 

191. "Ye cannot serve Jehovah." 

192. "Nay but we will serve Jehovah." 

193. Joshua's exclamation, "Ye are witnesses 
against yourselves" and the people's rejoinder, "We 
are witnesses." 

194. The fixing of a stone of memorial as a seal 
of Israel's pledge to Jehovah. 

195. (1) Defeat at Ai. (2) Sanctify Israel. (3) 
Victory at Ai. (4) Reading the law in the valley of 
Shechem. (5) Strategy of Gibeonites. 



164 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

196. Give five results following the five incidents 
just mentioned. 

197. Give five closing incidents of the record of 
Joshua. 

198. What nugget of trutli may be picked up in 
the study of the "Last Days and Last Words of Joshua?" 

199. What descriptive name has been applied to the 
period of the judges? 

200. Wliat does the Scripture state as to the char- 
acter standard of the time? 

201. What is the extent of the period of the judges? 

202. Wliat part of tlie Bible gives the history of the 
period of the judges? 

203. Give outline of tlie book of Judges. 

204. Who is the first leader chosen after Joshua? 

205. Whom does Judah secure to assist him? 

206. Over whom and where is first victory? 

207. What ruler is captured and put to death? 

208. Over whom and where is second victory? 

209. Give list of other recorded victories. 

210. Were victories complete and lasting? 

211. What one people was a specially troublesome 
enemy of Israel through long years? 

212. What inhabitants of the valleys did Israel 
fail to drive out? 

213. Who retained the citadel of Jerusalem? 

214. What place of note is taken by descendents of 
Joseph ? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 



165 



196. ( 1 ) Victory at Gibeon. ( 2 ) Victories in the 
South. (3) Victories in the North. (4) Rest from war. 

(5) Division of the land. 

197. (1) In camp at Shiloh. (2) Cities of Refuge. 
(3) Provision for Levites. (4) Averted strife. (5) 
Farewell words of Joshua. 

198. He best leads men who best follows God. 

199. The dark ages of Jewish history. 

200. In those days there was no king in Israel; 
every man did that which was right in his own eyies. 

201. From the death of Joshua to the coronation of 
Saul. 

202. The books of Judges and Ruth and first ten 
chapters of First Samuel. 

203. Part I. Introduction— The Apostasy. 1:1-3: 
6. 



Israel under the Judges. 
Local histor}^ 17-21. 



204. 
205. 
206. 
207. 
jection. 

208. 
209. 
Bkron. 
210. 
211. 
212. 
213. 
214. 



Part II. Israel under the Judges. 3: 7-16:31. 
Part III. 

Judah. 

Simeon. 

Canaanites and. Perizzites at Bezek. 

Adoni-bezek who held seventy cities in sub- 

Jebuzites in Jersualem. 

Hebron, Debir, Hormah, Gaza, Ashkelon and 

They were not. 

The Philistines. 

Those having chariots of iron. 

Jebuzites. 

Bethel. 



166 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

• 215. How many of the tribes fail to do full duty in 
lines of conquest? 

216. What motives prompt to disobedience? 

217. Who pleads with Israel for better life? 

218. What was the result of Jehovah's appeal? 

219. What is the penalty of Israel's persistent sin? 

220. How completely did Israel turn from Jehovah? 

221. What the just recompense of sin? 

222. W^hat indication of the marvelous mercy of 
God? 

223. What peoples were left in Canaan to "prove" 
Israel ? 

224. Wliat one thing particularly involved Israel 
with the people of Canaan? 

225. Where were Philistines located? 

226. Where were Sidonians located? 

227. Where were Hivites located? 

228. Where were Hittites located? 

229. Where were Amorites located? 

230. Where were Perizzites located? 

231. Where were Jebuzites located? 

232. What nugget may be picked up from the 
study of "Israel's Apostasy?" 

233. ^Mlat people of the East holds Israel in 
bondage ? 

234. Who is their leader? 

235. Whom does God raise up as first of the Judges 
to deliver Israel? 

236. What relationship does he sustain to a noble 
character ? 

~- 237. What was Israel's first work? 
238. What was next step? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 167 

215. Six. 

216. Indolence, pride, lust and cowardice. 

217. Jehovah. 

218. Tears but no reformation. 

219. God leaves native tribes as thorns in the site 
of Israel. 

220. They forsook Him utterly bowing do\NTi to 
gods of peoples about them. 

221. Israel is despoiled by their enemies. 

222. In spite of Israel's disloyalty and outrageous 
violations of the divine law He raises up Judges to save 
them from their enemies. 

223. The Philistines, Sidonians and various tribes 
included under the general term Canaanites. 

224. Intermarrying. 

225. Southwestern seaboard. 

226. Northwestern seaboard. 

227. Xorth and Northeast — Lebanon district. 

228. South country — Hebron district. 

229. Southwest and later East of Jordan. 

230. Central section, about Bethel and Shechem. 

231. In and about Jersualem. 

232. Apostasy from God always leads to "dark 



ages." 



233. Mesopotamians. 

234. Cushan-rishathaim. 

235. Othniel. 

236. Nephew of Caleb. 

237. To suppress idolatry and teach Israel anew the 
name and law of God. 

238. Victorious war against Mesopotamians. 



168 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

239. What followed Othniel's death? 

240. By whom is Israel next reduced to bondage? 

241. Who is raised up as a deliverer? 

242. Who is third of the Judges? 

243. What "old story" is repeated? 

244. What Avoman judge is now raised up? 

245. Whom does Deborah call as leader of Israel's 
forces ? 

246. What condition does Barak impose? 

247. What does Deborah tell him this involves? 

248. Over whom does Barak win a complete victory? 

249. What happens to Sisera ? 

250. What of Deborah's feelings over the victory? 

251. Xame the first five Judges. 

252. What lesson nugget may be picked up in the 
study of "The First Judges?" 

253. Wlio are the next oppressors of Israel? 

254. What of Israel's condition? 

255. Before a deliverer is granted this time, what 
happens ? 

256. Who is called as deliverer? 

257. What of Gideon's character? 

258. What does the angel of the Lord call him? 

259. W^hat are Gideon's first words in response to 
tliecall? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 169 

239. Further Apostasy. 

240. Eglon of Moab. 

241. Ehud, second of the Judges. 

242. Shamgar. 

243. Story of Israel's sin, their just oppression, 
their cry to Grod and His deliverance. 

244. Deborah. „ 

245. Barak. 

24G. Deborah must accompany him in his expedi- 
tion. 

247. The surrender of honors to a woman. 

248. Sisera, general of forces of Jabin. 

249. Deserting his forces and seeking personal safety 
he is murdered by Joel. 

250. She voices a song of triumphant thanksgiving. 

251. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Barak. 

252. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 
as some count slackness; but is longsuffering toward 
you, not wishing that any should perish, but that 
all should come to repentance." 

253. The :Midianites. 

254. They were brought ''very low." 

255. Crod voices protest against their conduct re- 
minding them of all His favors of the past. 

256. Gideon. 

257. "He represents the best Hebrew blood, tlie 
finest spirit and intelligence of the nations." 

258. A miorhtv man of valor. 

259. Oh my Lord, if Jehovah is with us, why then 
is all this befallen us? Where are his great works? 
Why does Midian prevail? 



170 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

260. How are his doubts answered? 

261. How is Gideon fortified for his task? 

262. How is he farther assured? 

263. What altars did Gideon overthrow? 

264. What the efTect of this upon his father? 

265. What signs further confirmed Gideon's call? 

266. What indicates that Gideon is of the type for 
leadership ? 

267. How many men are in Gideon's army? 

268. What does God say of this number? 

269. Why "too many"? 

270. What first test was applied to the army? 

271. How many turned back? 

272. What does God say of the remaining force of 
ten thousand? 

273. What further test is applied? 

274. How many stand this test? 

275. What does Gideon discover by spying upon the 
camp of Midian? ^ 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 171 

260. By a command for service. 

261. By the divine assurance, "Surely I will be 
with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one 
man.'* 

262. By the angel's calling forth fire from the 
rock to consume his offering. 

263. Altars of Baal at which his own father wor- 
shiped. 

264. He upholds , his son, deserting a god unable 
to defend himself. 

265. The signs of the fleece. 

266. His immediate obedienct. He rises up early to 
begin the work of God. 

267. Thirty-two thousand. 

268. There are '"too many." 

269. Victory won by such a host would be credited 
to their own power or valor. The name of God would 
find no honor. 

270. Opportunity, without dishonor, was given all 
the fearful and the trembling to depart. 

271. Twenty- two thousand. 

272. There are yet ''too many" though Midianites 
cover the land like locusts! 

273. Only those who rush through a stream that 
crosses their pathway without slacking speed for drink 
are to accompany Gideon. 

274. Three hundred. 

275. That fear has already disarmed his foes. 



172 PROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

276. To what effective strategy does he resort? 

277. What is the result? 

278. Who complains to Gideon? 

279. Why does Ephraim complain? 

280. How are they pacified? 

281. What is said of the persistent courage of 
Gideon and his men? 

282. Wliat is the final outcome? 

283. What do the people oti'er Gideon? 

284. What is his answer? 

285. How is Gideon involved in later days? 

286. What the final estimate of Gideon? 

287. What lesson nugget may be picked up from the 
study of the "Heroic Days of Gideon?" 

288. What marks Israel's life after death of Gideon? 

289. What of the attitude toward the house of 
Gideon ? 

~- 290. What conspirator obtains the leadership? 

291. What great crime does he commit? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 173 

276. His force is divided into three companies 
scattered over the hills above the camp of Midian. 
Upon the blast of his own trumpet each man is to 
blow a wild blast, break his pitcher and expose the 
light of a torch. From everv side thev are then to 
rush toward the camp below them. 

277. Midianites are panic stricken and flee in terror 
from "the sword of the Lford and Gideon." 

278. Men of Ephraim. 

279. Gideon did not use them in attacking Midian 
and they wished to share the glory of the victory. 

280. By being reminded of other important services 
they had rendered and by Gideon's unselfish estimate of 
himself. 

281. As Midian retreated these heroes were "faint 
yet pursuing." 

282. Midian is utterly discomfited. 

283. To make him king. 

284. Jehovah shall rule over you. 

285. By Israelis perverted attitude toward the 
epoch he made and by family relationships. 

286. He was great for his time and God used him. 
He merits his place in the catalogue of the faithful. 

287. "One man of you shall chase a thousand; for 
the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you." 

288. A further apostasy. 

289. "Neither showed their kindness to the house 
of Gideon." 

290. Abim^lech. 

291. Murders all his brothers except Jotham who 
escapes him. 



174 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

292. Who finally rebels against Abimelech? 

293. Who is welcomed as a leader against 
Abimelech ? 

2-94. In the engagement who are overthrown? 

295. Why was 'Shechem involved in disaster? 

296. How does Abimelech meet his death ? 

297. What new judges are next named? 

298. Who are next found oppressing Israel? 

299. What pitiful cry does Israel raise? 

300. What wonderful revelation of the heart of God? 

301. Who is raised up to deliver? 

302. How is he described? 

303. What is his first step? 

304. What was the result of these overtures? 

305. Xext steps? 

306. Name three inconspicuous leaders next raised 
up? 

307. What remarkable man is next introduced? 

308. What did the angel declare he was to be? 

309. What is his first exploit? 

310. What next? 

311. What of the vengeance of the Philistines? 
^ 312. What of Samson's return vengeance? 

313. Who delivers up Samson? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 175 

292. His own city, Shechem. 

293. Caal. 

294. Gaal and the Shechemites. 

295. Because men of that city strength-ened the 
hands of Abimelech to slay his brethren. 

296. He is wounded fatally by a stone dropped 
upon him from a tower, by the hand of a woman. 
To save himself from reproach he calls a soldier to 
put him to death. 

297. Tola and Jair. 

298. Philistines and Ammonites. 

299. "Only deliver us this day." 

300. "His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." 

301. Jephthah. 

302. As "a mighty man of valor." 

303. An appeal to the king of Ammon presenting 
the justice of Israel's cause. 

304. ihey were rejected. 

305. War and the overthrow of Ammonites. 
30(3. Ibzan, Elon and Abdon. 

307. Samson. 

308. "A Nazarite unto God." 

309. The murder of thirty Philistines to pay a 
riddle wager. 

310. Destruction of the grain fields of the Philis- 
tines. 

311. They destroy the household of the woman 
Samson sought for his wife. 

312. He smites the Philistines "hip and thigh" 
with great slaughter. 

313. Men of Judah. 



176 FROM JORDAN TO THkONE OF SAUL. 

314. The result? 

315. Who is finally his undoing? 

316. What of his treatment? 

317. What of his final vengeance upon his own foes 
and the enemies of the people of God? 

318. How many judged Israel? 

319. How many thus far introduced? 

320. Xame them. 

321. Whom will we yet meet? 

322. What nugget may be picked up in studying 
"The Last of the Judges?" 

323. What do the last chapters of Judges deal with ? 

324. Purpose of the narrative? 

325. Whose household is introduced? 

326. What tribe seeks more territory? 

327. What city is overthrown ? 

328. What city takes its place? 

32'9. What woful record is here introduced? 

330. What tribe is involved in this outrage? 

331. What is the first step of other tribes? 

332. Results of first battles? 

333. Why? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 177 

314. He breaks all bonds and, attacking the Philis- 
tines, smites a thousand men. 

315. Delilah. 

316. He is blinded, bound with fetters, and put 
to the slave's task of grinding grain. 

317. The heathen temple is pulled down upon as- 
sembled thousands, Samson perishing with the others. 

318. Fifteen. 

319. Fourteen. 

320. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Barak, 
Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, 
Abdon, Samson. 

321. Samuel, last of the judges and first of the 
prophets. 

322. True standards of courage await the coming 
of Christ. 

323. Local history. 

324. To further picture the darkness of a day 
when, the laws of God forgotten, every man does 
that which is right in his own eyes. 

325. Household of Micah. 

326. Dan. 

327. Laish. 

328. Dan. 

329. Record of the outrage of Gilbeah. 

330. Benjamin. 

331. A conference at Mizpah and condemnation of 
Benjamites. 

332. Defeat of the tribes. 

333. Fought in their own strength. 



178 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

334. Next developments? 

335. Why Israel in sorrow? 

336. What is done? 

337. What is the only explanation of the dreadful 
narrative ? 

338. W^hat nugget of truth may be picked up when 
we study the sinful condition of the "Period of the 
Judges?" 

339. To what change of scene do we turn in the 
book of Ruth? 

340. Of what great fact does the book assure us? 

341. . Give a tribute to the book of Ruth. 

* 

342. Give a tribute to Ruth herself. 

343. With what household of Judea do we deal? 

344. The name of Elimelech's wife? 

345. Names of their sons? 

346. What special burden pressed upon them? 

347. To what country did they move? 

348. What sorrow comes to the home? 

349. Whom did the sons marry? 

350. What added sorrow oomes to Naomi? 

351. What Avord comes to her from the old home 
of Judea? 

352. What does she plan? 

353. Who accompany her for a distance on the way? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 179 

334. From their knees, the m^ii of Israel move 
forward in conquest. Benjamin is overthrown. 

335. It dawns upon them tbat they have gone to 
unwarranted lengths. A tribe of Israel has been 
blotted out. 

336. By wicked devices wives are secured for the 
remnant of the tribe of Benjamin. 

337. Men, careless of God, were doing what was 
right in their own eyes. 

338. Moral and spiritual anarchy come in when- 
ever the laws of God go out. 

339. From petty wars to realm of peace, from 
tempest of public dishonor to calm of domestic loyalty. 

340. There has never been a complete break in 
the chain of belief. 

341. "It grants a moment of sunshine through thick 
clouds." 

342. She appears as Wife and Daughter chaste as 
the Kose of Spring and unsurpassed in these relations 
by any other character of holy writ." 

343. The house of Elim^lech. 

344. Naomi. ^ 

345. Mahlon and Chilion. 

346. Famine. 

347. Maab. 

348. Elimelech's Death. 

349. Orpah and Ruth. 

350. Death of the two sons. 

351. That the Lord hath visited his people and 
given bread. 

352. To return to Judea. 

353. Both daughters-in-law. 



180 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

354. When farewells are spoken which of the 
daughters turns back? 

355. What is Ruth's decision? ' 

356. Give her beautiful words of committal. 

357. Of whose unwavering faith is Ruth the reward? 

358. To what point in Judea do Naomi and Ruth 
return ? 

359. What is the question of old neighbors and 
friends ? 

360. What the answer? 

361. What motives turned Or pah back to Moab? 

362. What motives led Ruth to Judea? 

363. What of Orpah's name now? 

364. What of Ruth's name now ? 

365. What nugget of truth may be picked up in tha 
study of Naomi's life? 

366. What trait is at once discerned in Ruth? 

367. In whose fields does Ruth begin gleaning the 
portion of the poor? 

368. How is Boaz impressed by her? 

369. What predisposes him in her favor ? 

370. What is his word of devout good will? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 181 

354. Orpah. 

355. To go to Judea with Naomi. 

356. ^'Entreat me to leave thee, and to return from 
following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go; 
and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall 
be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest, 
will I die^ and there will I be buried: Jehovah do 
so to me and more also, if aught but death part thee 
and me." 

357. Xaomi's 

358. Bethlehem. 

359. Is this Naomi? 

360. "Call me not Naomi but Mara for the Almighty 
hath dealt very bitterly with me." 

361. (1) False gods. (2) Family ti^s. (3) Tem- 
poral interests. 

362. (1) JehQvah. (2) Obligation to God. (3) 
Eternal interests. 

363. It points a moral. 

364. It lives. 

365. Faith like Naomi's will still yield lives like 
Ruth's. 

366. Industry. 

367. The fields of Boaz. 

368. Most unfavorably. 

369. Knowledge of her kindness to Naomi and her 
turning from her own people to strangers. 

370. '^Jehovah recompense thy work, and a full 
reward be given thee of Jehovah the God of Israel 
under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.'* 



1«2 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

371. ^Vhat special favors does he provide for her? 

372. What is *Xaomi's heartfelt exclamation when 
Kuth bears report of the day? 

373. What does she see in Boaz? 

374. What were the privileges and duties of the 
nearest of kin? 

375. What caution does Xaomi give Ruth? 

376. What is Xaomi's plan? 

377. Where does Ruth make her claim to his pro- 
tection as nearest of kin? 

378. What of Boaz? 

379. The reservation? 

380. Where does Boaz call a conference? 

381. Who are asked to judge between him and the 
one nearer of kin? 

382. What is the result of the conference? 

383. The next step ? 

384. What child is born to Boaz and Ruth? 

385. Who is his grandson? 

386. Of what line is the Messiah? 

387. Whom do we face in the person of Ruth? 

388. What nugget may be gathered up in the study 
of Ruth "In the Fields of Boaz?" 

389. To whose household does the book of First 
Samuel first introduce us? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 183 

371. (1) She is to share the lunch with his reapers. 

(2) The reapers are told not only to allow her to gleam 
after them undisturbed but to drop some grain pur- 
posely for her benefit. 

372. "Blessed be he that did take knowledge of 
thee." 

373. A redeemer sent to them "of Jehovah." 

374. ( 1 ) To buy back forfeited inheritance or 
liberty. (2) To average the blood of the murdered. 

(3) To take widow of a deceased brother if he die^ 
childless. 

375. Not to leave the fields of Boaz. 

376. To have Boaz marry Ruth. 

377. In the scene at the threshing floor. 

378. He admits his obligation as near of kin and 
calls down the blessings of Jehovah upon Euth. 

379. Boaz reminds Ruth that there is one nearer 
of kilt than himself. If he does not do a kinsman's 
part Boaz will. 

380. At the city gate. 

381. Ten of the elders of the city. 

382. The one nearer of kin than Boaz surrenders 
his privileges. 

383. Ruth becomes the wife of Boaz. 

384. Obed. 

385. David. 

386. The line of David. 

387. An ancestress of Jesus. 

388. There is large place for life with God in 
fields of human toil. 

389. The household of Elkanah, a Levite. 



1«4 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

390. What are the names of Elkanah's wives? 

391. What is Hannah's sorrow? 

392. Who taunts her with this fact? 

393. Who tries to comfort? 

394. To whom does Hannah turn in direct petitioi 
for a child? 

395. Where is the prayer oftered? 
39G. What does she promise. 

397. What motives prompted her? 

398. Eli's first thought? 

399. Hannah's beautiful protest? 

400. What of Eli's response? 

401. What marks the household of Elkanah before 
facing homeward ? 

402. What child is born to Hannah? 

403. When does the grateful Mother bear her child 
to Jehovah? 

404. What is Hannah's spirit in the vital hour of 
the surrender of Samuel ? 

405. What contrasts in the household of Eli? 

406. What of Samuel's growth? 

407. What nugget of truth may we pick up in the 
study of "A Mother's Gift to Jehovah?" 

408. What was the cost of sin in the eases of Hophni 
and Phinehas? 

409. Who appears to Eli ? 

410. What is the pitiful characteristic of Eli? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 185 

390. Peninnah and Hannah. 

391. She is childless. 

392. Peninnah. 

393. Elkanah, by assurance of his partial love. 

394. To God. 

395. In temple or tabernacle courts. 

396. If a child is granted she will give him unto 
Jehovah for service all the days of his life. 

397. (1) The crown of womanhood. (2) The sense 
of the favor of God. (3) In line with living promises 
of Jehovah. 

398. That Hannah is drunken. 

399. "No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful 
spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, 
but I poured out my soul before Jehovah." 

400. A benediction of peace and promise. 

401. An hour of Avorship. 

402. Samuel, whose name signifies "Asked of God.' 

403. When he is, probably, about three years of 
age. 

404. The spirit of exultation expressing itself in a 
song of thanksgiving. 

405. The sin of Hophni and Phinehas over against 
the righteousness of Samuel. 

406. He "grew before Jehovah." 

407. "A mother is a mother still, the holiest thing 
alive." 

408. The favor of both God and man aud bondage 
instead of freedom they coveted. 

409. The man of God voicing heaven's reproof. 

410. Weakness. 



186 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

411. What special sin in his sons did he overlook? 

412. How did the messenger of Grod speak of this? 

413. What penalties are foretold? 

414. How are Samuers early years spent? 

415. How does God finally call him to larger life 
and labor? 

416. What does Samuel do at first and second calls? 

417. What does Eli direct? 

418. When he reported to Eli the third time what 
came to Eli's mind? 

419. W^hat direction does he now give Samuel? 

420. What is made knoAvn to Samuel? • 

421. What is the mind of Samuel? 

422. What is Eli's insistence? 

423. What of Eli's resignation? 

424. What is Samuel's unique place? 

425. What of God's favor to Samuel? 

426. What of Israel's feeling toward him? 

427. In the study of sin throughout the ages what 
great nugget of truth may be picked up? 

428. What people gathers against Israel? 

429. What was the cause of Israel's defeat? 

430. To what device do the}^ resort? 

431. What the first efTect of this upon their foes? 

432. By what motive did leaders of Philistines stir 
iheir forces? 

433. What are the issues of the second battle? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS. 187 

411. Misappropriation of altar sacrifices. 

412. As honoring his sons above God. 

413. (1) Affliction is to come upon Eli's house. (2) 
His sons^ to succeeding generations, are to die without 
reaching old age. (3) The priesthood shall pass to 
another. 

414. In ministering unto Jehovah before Eli. 

415. By speaking his name. 

416. Runs to Eli asking what is wanted. 

417. That he return to his rest. 

418. That God was calling Samuel. 

419. To lie down and if the voice come again to 
answer, "Speak, Jehovah, for thy servant heareth." 

420. The decreed desolation of the house of Eli. 

421. He shrinks from telling Eli. 

422. That Le tell him "every whit." 

423. He exclaims, "It is Jehovah: let him do what 
it seemeth him good." 

424. Last of the judges and first of the prophets. 

425. He was with him and "let none of his words 
fall to the ground." 

426. All recognized that he was established a 
prophet of Jehovah. 

427. "The wages of sin is death." 

428. Philistines. 

429. Israel's sin. 

430. Taking the ark with them into battle. 

431. Dismay. 

432. The threat of bondage to Israel. 

433. (1) Defeat of Israel. (2) Death of Hophni 
and Phinehas. (3) Capture of ark. 



188 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL, 

434. What effect do tidings have upon Eli? 

435. Where do Philistines first place the ark? 
43'6. What is their thought in this? 

437. What occurs in the temple of Dagon? 

438. What subsequent developments bring terror to 
Philistines ? 

439. What plan for testing the cause of the trouble? 

440. What the result? 

441. Where is the ark first received by Israel? 

442. What the people's feelings? 

443. What leads to great sorrow at Beth-shemesh ? 

444. Where is the ark taken? 
445.. How long is it kept there? 

446. What appeal does Samuel voice to Israel? 

447. What the result? 

448. Where is a conference held? 

449. What its purpose? 

450. What do Philistines do? 

451. What is the result of the attack? 

452. Why was Israel invincible? 

453. What memorial stone is reared? 

^ 454. Where was Samuel's settled home? 

455. What of his ministry? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 189 

434. He falls backward to his death. 

435. In the temple of Dagon. 

^36. To discredit Israel and Israel's God before all 
the people. 

437. The altar is found upon its face and broken 
before the ark. 

438. Dreadful afflictions wherever the ark is taken. 

439. Placing the ark upon a new cart drawn by 
milch kind. If the latter face toward home all the 
sorrows have come by "chance." If otherwise, Philistines 
will know that the hand of Israel's God is against them. 

440. The power of Jehovah is declared. 

441. At Beth-shemesh. 

442. They rejoice greatly. 

443. Irreverent curiosity. 

444. To Kiriath-jearim. 

445. Twenty years. 

446. To return unto Jehovah, putting away all 
foreign gods. 

447. Israel professes penitence and a desire to re- 
turn to loyalty. 

448. At Mizpah. 

449. To set a seal upon Israel's reconsecration to 
God. 

450. Make an attack upon Israel at Mizpah. 

451. The discomfiture of the Philistines. 

452. Because in camp with Jehovah. 

453. Eben-ezer. 

454. Ramah. 

455. All his days he judged Israel going from place 
to place in an established circuit — a spokesman for Grod. 



190 FROM JORDAN TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

456. What nugget may we pick up in the study of 
Samuel's dependence upon God? 

457. What are the names of Samuel's sons? 

458. What of their character? 

459. What of the attitude of the people? 

460. What request do they make? 

461. What is the master motive? 

462. What of Samuel's feelings? 

463. What does Jehovah bid him do? 

464. What are points in the warning given? 

465. What is Israel's answer ? 

466. What marked man do we meet at this stage 
in our journey? 

467. How is he described? 

468. What is Saul doing when we first meet him? 

469. What does his servant suggest? 

470. How is Saul made known to Samuel? 

471. What is the next step? 

472. To put Saul at ease what does Samuel tell 
him? 

473. What significant thing in Samuel's conversa- 
tion? 

474. What portion of meat is given Saul at the 
table? 



ANSWERS TO DRILL QUESTIONS, 191 

456. The citadel of prayer baffles all foes. 

457. Joel and Abijah. 

458. Thoroughly dishonorable. 

459. They honor Samuel but resent being under his 
unworthy sons. 

460. They ask for a king. 

461. That Israel mav be "like all the nations." 

«/ 

462. He was much displeased. 

463. . Yield to the desire of the people after giving 
warning as to what a king will mean. 

464. (1) Their sons and daughters will be de- 
manded for menial service. (2) Armies w411 demand 
the young. (3) Their fields and olive yards will be 
the king's at his pleasure. (4) A tithe of all they have 
will go to the king's enrichment. 

465. "Nay; but we w^ll have a king. 

466. Saul, son of Kish of tribe of Benjamin. 

467. As a mighty man of valor, of great height, 
standing from his shoulders upward above all others. 

468. Seeking his father's asses. 

469. That they consult the seer — Samuel. 

470. Jehovah reveals the fact that Saul is the one 
whom He hath chosen to rule over Israel. 

471. Samuel asks Saul to eat with him at a feast. 

472. That his father's asses have been found. 

473. The question, "For whom is all that is de- 
sirable in Israel?" and the answer, "Is it not for thee 
and for all thy father's house?" 

474. The shoulder, perhaps as an emblem of the 
government to which God was calling him. 



L 



192 FROM JORDAN' TO THRONE OF SAUL. 

475. Who is chosen as king of Israel? 

476. Where is Saul found? 

477. In what unselfish words does Samuel introduce 
him? 

478. W^hat new cry is heard in the camp of Israel? 

479. What ideal of Israel is satisfied? 

480. What is the extent of our journey thus far? 

481. What is the destination on before? 

482. What nugget may be gathere4 from Israel's 
iiequest for a king? 

483. Who is reigning in your life to-day? 



ANSWERS. 

475. Saul. 

476. In hiding. 

477. "See ye him whom Jehovah hath chosen, that 
there is none like him among all the people.'* 

478. "Long live the king." 

479. They are "like other nations." 

480. From Eden to the throne of Saul. 

481. Bethlehem. 

482. The longing to be "like others" often dethrones 
God in huiraii life that petty sovereigns of earth may 
rule. 

483. Grod grant that the answer may be Jehovah. 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



M'U I vsm 



" WHAT'S THE ANSWER ? 



93 



Charley met his friend James upon the street and told 
him that he had been jQshing. **How many iSsh did you 
catch?" asked James. 

John replied : "If to the number of the books of the Old 
Testament you add the number of the books in the New 
Testament ; multiply that by the number of apostles that 
were present at the transfiguration ; divide by the number 
of the books written by Luke ; subtract the number of times 
the Israelites marched around Jericho; multiply by the 
number of pieces of silver Judas received for betraying 
Christ; divide by the number of spies Moses sent into 
Canaan; add the number of letters in the name of the city 
in which a man climbed up a ttee to see Christ; divide by 
the number of apostles that were called the 'sons of thun- 
der,' the answer will be the number of fish I caught." 

The answer to this question is 111. 

This is one of fifty-two interesting Bible problems found 
in a book called "What's the Answer?'* This book may be 
secured from the Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, 
O., for 25 centSj postpaid. 

l¥liat One of Tliese Problems Did 

One of these problems was given to a boy who went 
home very enthusiastic about finding the answer. He got 
along all right until he came to the name of the, city 'n 
which a man climbed up a tree to see Christ. He went to 
his mother and asked her if she knew what the man's name 
was and in what city he lived. She did not want to say 
that she did not know, so she put him off until the next 
day. In the meantime, she called up her preacher, and he 
said he would look it up. The boy then went the next 
day to school and asked his public-school teacher. She 
said the incident was very faihiliar to her, but she wouid 
tell him the next day just where to find it. This public- 
school teacher went home and asked her' mother, who said 
she had heard -of the story, but could not locate it. This 
mother also called up her preacher, and that preacher riid 
he would look it up. From this one question at least two 
mothers, one public-school teacher and two preachers were 
taught that Zaccheus was the man that climbed up a tree 
to see Christ, and that he lived in Jericho. Get these 'puzzle 
problems and try them in your class. 



BOOKS 

BY 

HERBERT MONINGER 

TRAINING rOR.SERVlCE (-°°'°°«/.°,^^J" J^^^e ^cT'''^'^*- 25c. 

Manila binding, not prepaid (postage 3c. ) 

Cloth binding, not prepaid (postage 8c.) wc. 

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. _ 30^. 

• Manila binding, postpaid -- 

Cloth binding, postpaid 

TUDIES IN THE GOSPELS AND ACTS. 3^,^ 

Manila binding, postpaid ^^ 

Cloth binding, postpaid - ----- 

MM F null I S This book contains 753 questions arid an- 
BIBLE DRILLS, ims ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^ This is 

the one used in the great Bible-knowledge contests 
throughout the country. ^^^ 

Manila binding, postpaid ^ 

Cloth binding, postpaid _ 

WHAT'S THE ANSWER? A unique way of learning many 

Bible facts. ^^^ 

Manila binding, postpaid 25c 

Cloth binding, postpaid 

«n^o»JSy"^^^^ofKfp^^^^^^^^ ^l- 

MATI'HFW'S GOSPEL AT THE POINT OF A QUESTION. Just the 

^^"^^\ing to help in the International lessons for 19x0. ^^^ 

Manila binding, postpaid..-. • ^^ 

Cloth binding, postpaid .. -r---- — on 

<!FRVTrF IN SONG compiled by Herbert Moninger, edi- 

SERVICE IN !>UNO^c P o. ExcELL. Thirty .thousand 

sofd i^Jseven months. Returnable copy free upon 

request. §22.50 

Per 100, not prepaid 

HOW TO BUILD UP AN ADULT BIBLE CLASS. ^^^ 

Manila binding, postpaid - gSc. 

Cloth binding, prepaid 

THE STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY. CINCINNATI. 0. 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: June 2005 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIO^ 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township. PA 16066 
(724) 779-21 ' 



/$5 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





!■ 



K'^^ 



■, .^^^i. 



KS 



